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''£STERM  Bauk  IJOTE  &  EUS.CO.CHlCAeO- 


LIFE   SKETCHES 


OF 


GOVERNMENT  OFFICERS 


MEMBERS  OF  THE  LEGISLATURE 


OFTHS 


STATE  OF  NEW  YORK 


inOR   187-i. 


♦    • 


By  w.  h.  Mcelroy  and  alex.  mobride. 


ALBANY: 

WHD,  PABS0N8  AND  COMPANY,  PBINTBBS. 
1874 


A)3 


Entered,  according  to  act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  eighteen  hundred  and 
seventy-four, 

By  w.  h.  Mcelroy  and  alex.  mcbride. 

In  the  office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


^po^^)4.  /:^oVcr^ 


ALBAirr, 

WEKD,   PARSONS    AND    OOMPAKT. 

PHINTEES,   8TEBE0TTPEB8 

AND  PUBLISHEBS. 


CONTENTS 


PAQC 

Introduotion,  ---..-----5 

State  Officers,  with  portraits  of  Governor  Dix,  Lieat.>Governor 

Robinson,  etc.,    ----------  7 

Senators,         .-----------47 

Members  of  Assembly,  with  portrait  of  Speaker  Husted,  -  121 
List  of  Senators,  with  District,  County,  Post-oflSce  and  Politics,  339 
List  of  Assemblymen,    with   District,   County,    Post-office    and 

Politics, - 340 


iyi1ll800 


INTRODUCTION 


The  publication  of  "Life  Sketches"  began  in  1858,  and 
has  been  continued,  with  an  occasional  hiatus,  ever  since. 
Each  volume  contains  a  condensed  biographical  sketch  of  the 
Governor,  Lieutenant-Governor,  State  Officers  and  Members 
of  both  branches  of  the  Legislature,  and  thus  fills  its  niche 
and  has  its  value  in  the  not  unimportant  department  of 
works  of  reference.  The  present  editors  prepared  the  annual 
for  last  year,  and  met  with  such  encouragement  and  success 
as  induced  them  to  continue  the  series.  The  editor  of  Life 
Sketches  for  1858  expressed  the  aim  and  limitation  of  all 
the  volumes  when  he  wrote,  in  his  preface:  "Beyond  its 
usefulness  as  a  work  of  reference,  it  is,  comparatively,  of  but 
little  interest  to  the  public.  The  private  details  embodied  in 
the  sketches  are  designed  only  to  give  it  interest  as  a  volume 
for  private  circulation  among  the  friends  of  those  whose  lives 
constitute  its  pages." 

As  regards  the  merits  of  the  present  volume,  the  editors 
have  only  to  say  that  they  have  taken  great  pains  to  avoid 
errors,  either  of  fact  or  date,  and  to  render  the  sketches  as 
complete  as  possible  within  the  limits  prescribed. 

It  will  be  noticed  that,  the  sketches  being  arranged  alpha- 
betically, the  necessity  of  an  index  is  removed. 


LIFE   SKETCHES. 


JOHN  A.  DIX, 

GOVERNOR. 

"Nothing,"  says  De  Quincy,  "makes  such  dreary  and 
monotonous  reading  as  the  old  hackneyed  roll-call,  chronolo- 
gically arranged,  of  inevitable  facts  in  a  man's  life.  One  is 
so  certain  of  the  man's  having  been  born,  and,  also,  of  his 
having  died,  that  it  is  dismal  to  lie  under  the  necessity  of 
reading  it."  There  would  be  more  force  in  this  utterance  of 
the  great  opium-eater,  were  it  not  for  the  fact  that  Nature 
never  repeats  herself.  No  two  of  her  children  exactly  cor- 
respond. Characters  are  not  duplicated  any  more  than  faces. 
In  an  hundred  biographies  we  are  sure  of  perfect  agreement 
in  but  two  particulars  —  all  the  hundred  were  born,  and  they 
all  died ;  but  what  a  wide  divergence  as  to  the  "  inevitable 
facts  "  that  go  to  make  up  the  record  lying  between  the  sta- 
tions Life  and  Death ! 

In  the  present  biographical  sketch  and  those  which  succeed 
it,  the  editors  profess  to  have  given  such  and  such  only  of 
the  inevitable  facts  in  the  history  of  those  treated  of,  as  the 
public  have  a  right  to  know.  No  fitter  rule  can  be  laid  down 
for  the  guidance  of  the  biographer,  who  would  write  of  living 
subjects  without  offense  to  them  or  the  canons  of  taste,  than 
that  enunciated  by  Mrs.  Stowe  in  her  volume  "The  Men  of 
Our  Times."  "Every  public  man,"  she  says,  "has  two  lives, 
his  public  and  his  private.  The  one  becomes  fairly  the 
property  of  the  public  in  virtue  of  his  having  been  connected 
Avith  events  in  which  every  one  has  a  share  of  interest;  but 
the  other  belongs  to  himself,  his  family  and  his  intimate 
friends,  and  the  public  have  no  more  right  to  discuss  or  pry 


8        ,'.",:  r     ;  •'•^^■'^  Sketches. 

into  its  details  than  they  have  into  those  of  any  other  private 
individual." 

In  considering  the  long  and  illustrious  career  of  John"  A. 
Dix,  we  are  forcibly  reminded  of  a  remark  that  lRAa]S"G  makes 
in  regard  to  the  first  President.  Washikgton",  he  tells  us, 
had  very  little  private  life.  The  words  can  be  most  appro- 
priately transferred  to  General  Dix,  for  probably  no  public 
man  living  has  occupied  so  many  important  positions  of  trust, 
has  had  so  long  an  experience  in  political  life  as  he.  The 
salient  facts  of  his  history  are  as  follows:  John"  Adams 
Dix,  twenty-fourth  Governor  of  New  York,  was  horn  at 
Boscawen,  New  Hampshire,  July  24,  1798,  and  was  the 
son  of  Lieutenant-Colonel  Timothy  Dix  of  that  place. 
After  spending  some  time  in  a  French  college  at  Montreal, 
young  Dix  was  appointed  a  cadet  at  the  United  States  Mili- 
tary Academy  in  1812,  but  gave  up  the  appointment  to  bear 
his  part  in  the  war  of  1812-15,  having  in  1813  received  an 
appointment  as  ensign  in  the  fourteenth  United  States 
infantry.  A  year  subsequently  he  Avas  made  third  lieutenant 
in  the  twenty-first  regiment  of  infantry,  in  March,  1814, 
became  second  lieutenant,  and  in  the  fall  of  that  year  was 
transferred  to  the  artillery  arm.  1815  found  him  adjutant, 
and  1818  first  lieutenant.  In  1819  he  received  the  appoint- 
ment of  aide-de-camp  to  General  Jacob  Brown,  a  dis- 
tinguished officer,  then  commander-in-chief  of  the  army, 
and  spent  much  time  at  Washington,  where  he  enjoyed  the 
acquaintance  of  Calhoun,  Clay,  Van  Buren  and  other 
prominent  party  leaders  of  the  time.  In  the  spring  of 
1821  he  was  transfesred  to  the  third  artillery,  and  in  the 
summer  of  1825,  became  Captain  Dix.  Serving  as  cap- 
tain until  December  31,  1828,  he  then  resigned  his  com- 
imssion,  having  spent  sixteen  years  in  the  military  service. 
Going  abroad  not  long  after,  he  enjoyed  the  delights  and 
benefits  of  extensive  travel,  and  then  returned  to  this  coun- 
try and  entered  the  legal  profession  at  Cooperstown,  in  this 
State,  where  he  soon  became  prominent  in  political  circles 


John  A.  Dix.  9 

as  a  zealous  partisan  of  Andrew  Jackson  and  democratic 
principles.  In  1831  he  was  appointed  adjutant-general  by 
Governor  Throop,  and  two  years  later  was  elected  secretary 
of  state.  A  recent  writer  in  the  New  York  Commercial  calls 
attention  to  the  fact  that  with  General  Dix's  adjutant-gen- 
eralship began  one  of  the  most  memorable  chapters  of  his 
political  life.     We  quote : 

"  Gen.  Dix's  connection  with  the  political  *  ring,'  known 
as  the  Albany  Regency,  dates  from  his  acceptance  of  the 
position  of  adjutant-general.  That  'ring'  was  made  up  of 
such  material  as  Van  Buren,  Marcy,  Butler,  Croswell, 
Wright,  Ben  Knowek,  Flagg,  James  Porter,  Beards- 
ley,  Bronson,  Dickinson,  Young  and  Dix  —  men  irre- 
proachable in  private  life  —  men  famous  for  their  upright- 
ness and  intellectual  political  vigor.  They  were  the  brains 
of  the  party,  and  when  the  places  that  knew  them  so  well 
knew  them  no  more,  the  old  democratic  party  went  out  with 
the  tide.  They  played  an  imj^ortant  part  in  the  stirring 
events  that  make  history  from  1815  to  the  present  time,  A. 
C.  Flagg  and  Gen.  Dix,  as  we  observed,  being  the  last  of 
the  race.  Mr.  Weed,  in  his  autobiography,  could  hardly 
be  expected  to  do  more  than  incidentally  refer  to  this 
political  galaxy  of  statesmen,  diplomats,  senators,  judges, 
financiers,  lawyers  and  controversialists,  who  *  went  to  the 
front'  and  participated  in  the  fierce  excitement  and  masterly 
exhibition  of  talent  at  a  time  in  tlie  history  of  our  State  and 
national  politics  most  intensely  interesting." 

While  General  Dix  was  secretary  of  state  —  and  by  virtue 
of  his  office  he  was  also  superintendent  of  common  schools, 
a  member  of  the  canal  board  and  one  of  the  commissioners 
of  the  canal  fund  —  new  canals  were  being  constructed,  the 
enlargement  of  the  Erie  canal  was  commenced,  and  the  net- 
work of  railways  that  now  covers  the  State  was  j list  begin- 
ning to  be  spread.  The  secretary's  position,  it  will  thus  be 
seen,  was  one  of  unusual  responsibility,  and  that  he  filled  it 
with  great  honor  to  himself  and  to  the  entire  satisfaction  of 


10  Life  Sketches, 

the  people  there  is  abundant  evidence.  His  administration 
was  especially  distinguished  for  what  it  accomplished  in 
behalf  of  the  schools  of  the  State.  Hon.  Samuel  S.  Ran- 
dall, in  his  "  History  of  the  Common  School  System  of 
the  State  of  New  York,"  reviews  General  Dix's  career  as 
superintendent,  and  thus  concludes : 

"  In  passing  from  the  administration  of  General  Dix  to 
that  of  his  successor,  it  is  scarcely  necessary  to  observe  that 
the  exertions  of  the  former,  during  the  six  years  in  which  the 
interests  of  the  common  schools  were  committed  to  his 
charge,  in  the  elevation  and  expansion  of  the  system  of 
popular  education,  were  unsurpassed  dy  any  of  his  predeces- 
sors. The  impress  of  his  clear,  discriminating  and  cultivated 
mind  tvas  stamped  upon  every  feature  of  that  system ;  and 
the  order,  arrangement  and  harmony  which  prevailed  in  all 
its  parts,  were  due  not  less  to  the  ceaseless  vigilance  of  his 
supervision  than  to  the  symmetry  and  beauty  of  the  system 
itself.  In  1837,  under  the  authority  of  the  Legislature,  he 
collected  together  and  published  a  volume  of  the  decisions  of 
his  predecessor  and  himself,  embracing  a  full  exposition  of 
nearly  every  provision  of  the  school  act  —  estaUishirig  upon 
a  permanent  basis  the  principle  of  future  interjjretation,  and 
exerting  a  highly  beneficial  influence  upon  the  councils  and 
proceedings  of  the' officers  and  inhabitants  of  the  several  dis- 
tricts, in  repressing  litigation,  and  in  defining  the  powers, 
privileges  and  responsibilities  of  those  called  to  the  perform- 
ance of  any  duty  in  relation  to  the  common  schools.  TJie 
system  of  district  school  libraries  luas  also  organized  and  put 
into  successful  operation  under  his  immediate  sup>ervision  ; 
and  to  his  clear  and  convincing  exposition  of  the  principles 
upon  which  that  useful  and  beneficent  institution  was  based, 
the  ends  it  was  designed  to  subserve,  and  the  objects  it  was 
capable  of  accomplishing,  a  large  share  of  the  success  which 
has  attended  the  establishment  is  unquestionably  due." 

At  the  expiration  of  his  term  as  a  State  officer.  General  Dix 


John  A.  Dix.  11 

resumed  the  practice  of  law,  and  devoted  himself  to  the  duties 
of  his  profession  until  1842,  when  he  was  sent  to  the  Assembly 
from  Albany  county.  In  1845,  Silas  Wright  was  called 
from  the  United  States  Senate  to  be  Governor  of  New  York, 
and  John  A.  Dix  was  elected  to  fill  the  place  which  he 
left.  He  appeared  in  the  Senate  at  a  time  when  questions 
of  vast  moment  were  agitating  the  country  —  the  annexation 
of  Texas,  the  war  with  Mexico,  the  joint  occupation  and 
disputed  boundary  of  Oregon,  the  power  of  Congress  over 
slaves  in  the  territories,  and  others  that  will  readily  occur  to 
the  reader.  He  took  an  active  and  distinguished  part  in  the 
discussions,  and  showed  a  broad  and  statesmanlike  compre- 
hension of,  and  thorough  aptitude  for  affairs.  He  was  chair- 
man of  the  committee  on  commerce,  and  was  an  efficient 
member  of  the  committee  on  military  affairs.  He  fathered 
a  bill  for  reciprocal  freedom  of  trade  with  the  British  prov- 
inces, and  one  for  defining  the  duties  and  reducing  the 
salaries  of  officers  of  the  customs  in  the  large  ports. 

William  H.  Seward  succeeded  him  in  the  Senate.  In 
1848  he  ran  on  the  "  free-soil "  ticket  for  Governor,  but  was 
defeated  by  Hamilton  Fish.  He  took  an  active  part  in 
1852  in  the  presidential  campaign,  doing  much  effective  work 
in  Frank  Pierce's  canvass ;  but,  after  his  candidate  was 
elected,  declined  the  portfolio  of  State,  offered  him  by  Pierce, 
in  favor  of  Governor  Marcy.  In  1853  he  was  appointed 
assistant  treasurer  in  New  York  city,  a  position  which  he 
filled  only  for  a  short  time,  resigning,  and  devoting  himself 
exclusively  to  his  profession  until  1860,  when  he  was  ap- 
pointed postmaster  of  New  York  city.  And  so  we  come  to  the 
grey  dawn  of  the  great  rebellion — a  rebellion  on  whose  world- 
regarded  stage  General  Dix  played  a  prominent  part,  adding 
new  lustre  to  an  already  famous  name,  and  rendering  ines- 
timable services  to  his  country.  Near  the  end  of  Buchanan's 
term,  the  secessionists,  taking  advantage  of  the  approaching 
interregnum,  had  appointed  a  convention  to  meet  at  Mont- 


12  Life  Sketches. 

gomery,  Alabama,  and  take  measures  for  raising  an  army. 
Tiiey  proposed,  as  part  of  their  treasonable  programme,  to 
seize  AVashington,  and  prevent  the  inauguration  of  Lincoln". 
Early  in  December,  1860,  Howell  Cobb  resigned  the  con- 
trol of  the  treasury,  giving  as  a  reason  its  bankrupt  and 
liopeless  condition,  and  was  succeeded  by  Philip  F. 
Thomas,  who  had  been  commissioner  of  patents.  Thomas 
resigned  after  a  few  weeks,  being  displeased  with  the  attempt 
to  reinforce  Sumter.  It  was  at  this  serious  juncture  that 
Attorney-General  Stanton  induced  a  number  of  leading 
capitalists  of  New  York  to  demand  from  Buchanan  the 
appointment  of  John  A.  Dix  as  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  — 
a  demand  that  was  complied  with.  "  For  once,"  says  Dr. 
Draper,  speaking  of  the  incalculable  benefit  that  resulted 
to  the  cause  of  the  Union  from  the  presence  of  Dix  in 
Buchanan's  cabinet,  "  for  once  the  financial  embarrassment 
of  the  nation  proved  its  salvation.  The  condition  of  the 
treasury  was  deplorable.  The  government  could  do  nothing 
without  the  aid  of  capitalists  of  New  York.  Through 
the  influence  of  the  Attorney-General,  who  was  instructed  by 
his  own  patriotism,  and  by  the  clear  information  of  the 
existing  imminent  danger,  a  deputation  of  capitalists  hast- 
ened to  Washington  and  gave  the  President  distinctly  to 
understand  that  the  treasury  department  must  be  placed  in 
charge  of  one  in  whom  they  had  confidence,  and  that  they 
should  not  be  satisfied  unless  John  A.  Dix,  of  their  State, 
was  selected."  A  French  writer,  Laugel,  says  that  Stan- 
ton, Holt  and  Dix  saved  "Washington  to  the  Union ;  and, 
in  the  opinion  of  Dr.  Draper,  "the  obligations  of  the 
republic  to  those  three  ministers  can  never  be  repaid." 

General  Dix  was  called  to  the  cabinet  on  the  lltli  of 
January,  1861,  and  remained  in  it  but  little  over  a  month, 
resigning  at  the  close  of  Buchanan's  term.  And,  al- 
though his  tenure  of  the  treasury  was  so  short,  yet,  within 
tlie  limits  of  the  narrow  span  of  his  life  as  a  cabinet  officer. 


VH/- 


John  A.  Dix.  13 

General  Dix  furnished  a  most  striking  exemplification  of  the 
poet's  lines  — 

We  live  in  deeds,  not  years. 

He  most  lives 

Who  thinks  most,  feels  the  noblest,  acts  the  best. 

It  was  while  he  held  this  office,  that  he  wrote  his  famous 
dispatch,  whose  fac  simile  we  present  on  another  page, 
which  has  well  been  characterized  as  "  the  most  concentrated 
and  burning  war-cry  of  the  Union."  The  circumstances 
under  which  it  was  written  were  these.  General  Dix  had 
sent  W.  H.  Jones  as  special  agent  of  the  treasury  depart- 
ment, to  secure  three  revenue  cutters.  Jones  found  one  of 
them,  the  "  McClelland,"  in  the  possession  of  the  authorities 
of  Alabama,  and  hastening  to  New  Orleans,  addressed  a  note 
to  Captain  Breshwood,  of  that  cutter,  inclosing  one  from 
the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  directing  him  to  proceed 
immediately  with  his  vessel  to  New  York.  Breshwood  at 
once  replied,  ''Your  letter,  with  one  of  the  19th  of  Janu- 
ary, (1861)  frrm  the  Honorable  Secretary  of  the  Treasury, 
I  have  duly  received,  and  in  reply,  refuse  to  obey  the  order." 
Jones  immediately  communicated  the  fact  of  this  refusal  to 
the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury  by  telegraph,  and  further 
informed  him  that  Collector  Hatch  of  New  Orleans,  sus- 
tained the  action  of  the  rebel  captain.  It  was  under  these 
circumstances,  that  General  Dix  promptly  replied  to  Jones 
with  a  telegram,  ending  with  that  sentence  touched  with  a 
live  coal   from   the  altar   of  patriotism,    "If    any    one 

ATTEMPTS    TO    HAUL    DOWN    THE    AMERICAN    FLAG,    SHOOT 

HIM  ON  THE  SPOT ! "  This  order  speedily  became  a  proverb 
on  every  true  American's  lips,  and  Greeley,  in  his  American 
Conflict,  most  justly  records  that  it  "  sent  an  electric  thrill 
through  the  loyal  heart  of  the  country."  Probably  one  of 
the  highest,  and  certainly  the  most  unique  of  the  many 
compliments  paid  to  Dix's  battle-cry,  emanated  from  a  Sun- 
day school  scholar,  at  Akron,  Ohio.  Moore,  in  his  Rebellion 


14  Life  Sketches, 

Record,  tells  of  him.  He  was  a  lad  of  eleyen,  and  on  being 
requested  with  other  members  of  his  class,  to  repeat  from 
the  Bible  a  verse  of  his  own  selection,  promptly  gave  the  fol- 
lowing :  "  If  any  one  attempts  to  haul  down  the  American 
flag,  shoot  him  on  the  spot ! " 

In  1861  General  Dix  presided  at  the  great  meeting  held  in 
Union  Square,  New  York,  and  made  a  great  and  effective 
speech,  in  the  course  of  which  he  said :  "  I  regard  the  pend- 
ing contest  with  the  secessionists  as  a  death-struggle  for 
constitutional  liberty  and  law  —  a  contest  which,  if  successful 
on  their  part,  could  only  end  in  the  establishment  of  a 
despotic  government,  and  blot  out,  wherever  they  were 
ascendant,  every  vestige  of  national  freedom.  "We  stand  before 
the  statue  of  the  Father  of  his  country ;  [the  stand  from 
which  the  General  spoke  was  near  the  equestrian  statue  of 
Washington]  ;  the  flag  of  the  Union  which  floats  over  it  hung 
above  him  when  he  presided  over  the  convention  by  which 
the  constitution  was  framed.  The  great  work  of  his  life  has 
been  rejected,  and  the  banner  by  which  his  labors  were  con- 
secrated has  been  trampled  in  the  dust.  If  the  inanimate 
bronze,  in  which  the  sculptor  has  shaped  his  image,  could  be 
changed  for  the  living  form  which  led  the  armies  of  the 
Revolution  to  victory,  he  would  command  us,  in  the  name 
of  the  hosts  of  patriots  and  political  martyrs  who  have  gone 
before,  to  strike  for  the  defense  of  the  Union  and  the  Con- 
stitution." A  few  weeks  after  making  this  speech.  General 
Dix  was  appointed  Major-General  in  the  army  of  the  United 
States,  and  in  August  of  the  same  year,  1861,  he  relieved 
General  Banks  of  the  command  of  the  department  of  Mary- 
land, with  his  head-quarters  at  Baltimore.  It  was  while  he 
was  in  command  at  Baltimore  that  he  manifested  his  military 
genius  by  a  strategic  movement  which  relieved  the  eastern 
shore  of  Maryland  and  Virginia  from  the  rebel  grasp. 

General  Dix  was  subsequently  placed  in  command  of 
Fortress  Monroe,  and  in  1863  performed  one  of  the  best 
manoeuvres  of  the  campaign.    In  June  he  sent  a  portion  of 


John  A.  Dix.  15 

his  command  to  the  White  House,  at  the  junction  of  the 
Pamunkey  with  the  York  river.  In  this  position  he  threat- 
ened both  Richmond  and  the  communications  of  General 
Lee,  who  was  advancing  along  the  peninsula.  This  move- 
ment defeated  all  General  Lee's  plans,  and  so  frightened 
Jeff.  Davis  that  he  wrote  an  appealing  letter  to  General  Lee, 
saying  that  it  had  "  rendered  him  more  anxious  for  the  city 
than  at  any  former  time."  In  July  the  department  of  North 
Carolina  was  added  to  that  of  Virginia,  and  both  placed 
under  command  of  General  Dix,  until  he  was  transferred  to 
the  command  of  the  department  of  the  east. 

General  Dix's  general  order  to  all  provost  marshals,  with 
regard  to  rebel  and  other  refugees  in  Canada,  crossing  the 
lines  to  vote  at  the  presidential  election  in  1864,  ordering 
their  arrest,  excited  a  great  amount  of  attention  at  the  time, 
and  had  the  effect  of  checking  such  fraudulent  voting,  the 
election  being  one  of  the  most  peaceable  ever  witnessed.  He 
also  ordered  that  after  the  election,  should  any  suspicious 
persons  cross  into  Canada,  they  were  to  be  detained  until 
proper  investigations  could  be  made.  He  also  organized  the 
courts  for  the  trial  of  John  Y.  Be  all  and  R.  C.  Kennedy, 
as  spies,  conspirators  and  incendiaries,  during  Februaiy  and 
March,  which  resulted  in  their  execution. 

At  the  close  of  the  war  General  Dix  resigned  his  position 
in  the  army,  and,  renewing  his  interest  in  politics,  joined  his 
fortunes  with  the  National  Union  party,  of  whose  conven- 
tion, at  Philadelphia  in  the  summer  of  1866,  he  was  chair- 
man. In  the  same  year  he  was  appointed  minister  to 
France,  after  having  declined  the  mission  to  the  Hague,  and 
was  presented  to  the  Emperor  in  January,  1867.  As  our 
national  representative,  he  added  to  his  own  and  his 
country's  honor  by  discharging  all  his  duties  with  the  same 
distinguished  ability  that  had  marked  his  previous  career  of 
soldier  and  statesman.  The  prominent  part  he  played  in 
the  famous  coup  d'etat  of  last  winter,  by  which  the  Erie 
railroad  was  rescued  from  the  ring  who  were  running  it  for 


16  Life  Sketches. 

fcheir  own  aggrandizement,  is  too  recent  to  need  more  than 
a  passing  mention  here. 

General  Dix  received  his  degree  of  Master  of  Arts  from 
Brown  University  in  1820,  and  that  of  Doctor  of  Laws  from 
Geneva  College  in  1845.  He  has  found  time  in  the  pauses 
of  his  busy  life  to  turn  aside  into  his  library  long  enough  to 
turn  out  some  literary  work  of  a  high  order  of  merit,  notably 
a  book  of  travel,  "  A  Winter  in  Madeira  and  A  Summer  in 
Spain  and  Florence."  His  speeches  and  occasional  addresses 
and  lectures  have  been  compiled  in  two  handsome  volumes. 
The  late  General  Halpine,  better  known  by  his  nom  de 
plume  of  "  Miles  O'Eeilly,"  the  brilHant  young  Irishman  who 
was  for  some  time  on  General  Dix's  staff,  in  his  racy  remin- 
iscences of  the  war,  to  which  he  gave  the  title  of  "  Baked 
Meats,"  bears  witness  to  the  fine  attainments  of  the  General 
in  classics  and  belle-lettres.     He  writes  : 

"  General  Dix,  as  should  be  known  to  every  one,  is  an 
extremely  elegant  classical  scholar,  who  has  carried  forward 
with  him,  through  all  the  varied  and  valuable  labors  of  his 
public  life,  an  unfading  love  and  continual  study  of  those 
great  masters  of  antiquity  by  whose  precepts,  and  upon  whose 
model,  his  own  pure  and  noble  mind  was  originally  formed. 
Let  any  one  who  seeks  to  know  the  value  of  such  an  educa- 
tion contrast  the  dignity,  urbanity  and  stainless  integrity 
which  have  marked  the  life  of  this  gentleman  with  the  far 
different  qualities  for  which  many  of  our  public  men  are 
alone  to  be  distinguished,  and  we  think  a  full  answer  will  be 
given  to  the  too  common,  though  vulgar  and  senseless 
inquiry :  *  Of  what  practical  use  are  classical  attainments  ?' " 

After  these  prefatory  words.  Miles  submits  to  his  readers 
the  following  extremely  literal  and  yet  extremely  elegant 
translation,  by  General  Dix,  of  Horace's  famous  ode  (Liber 
III,  Carmen  xxx) : 


John  a.  Dix.  17 

EXEQI  MONUMENTUM  ^RE  PERENNIUS. 
I've  reared  a  monument  to  fame 

More  durable  tlian  solid  brass, 
Whicli  will,  in  loftiness  of  aim. 

The  regal  pyramids  surpass. 

No  wasting  shower,  no  rending  storm 
Shall  mar  the  work  my  genius  rears ; 

No  lapse  of  time  shall  change  its  form. 
No  countless  series  of  years. 

I  shall  not  wholly  die  :  my  name 
Shall  triumph  o'er  oblivion's  power. 

And  fresh,  with  still  increasing  fame. 
In  glory  posthumous  shall  tower. 

While  to  the  Capitolium 

The  Priest  and  Silent  Virgin  come. 

Where  Aafldus  impetuous  roars. 
And  Daunus,  held  on  arid  shores 

Dominion  o'er  the  rustic  throng  — 
Shall  I,  once  weak — now  potent  —  live 
As  first  of  all  the  bards  to  give 

iBolian  verse  to  Latin  song. 

Grant  me,  Melpomene  div!ne  1 

The  glory  due  to  deathless  lays  ; 
Propitious  to  my  vows  incline 

And  crown  me  with  Appollo's  bays  ! 

His  translations  of  Dies  Irae  and  Stabat  Mater  rank  with 
the  most  successful  renderings  of  those  two  great  mediaeval 
hymns  into  English. 

The  nomination  which  resulted  in  calling  General  Dix  to 
the  gubernatorial  chair  was  not  only  unsought  by  him,  but 
distinctly  declined.  But  finding  that  the  Republican  con- 
vention at  Utica  deemed  it  of  so  much  importance  that  his 
name  should  head  the  ticket  as  to  place  it  there  in  opposition 
to  his  wishes,  he  waived  his  personal  preferences  and  con- 
sented to  become  the  standard-bearer.  His  triumph  was 
such  as  any  man  might  justly  be  proud  of.  In  the  entire 
State  his  vote  led  that  of  General  Grant,  and  in  those  local- 
2 


18  Life  Sketches. 

ities  in  which  he  was  best  known  he  proved  strongest,  Jis  in 
Kings  county,  where  he  led  the  ticket  by  5,000. 

General  Dix  has  already  passed  the  allotted  term  of  human 
life  as  laid  down  by  the  psalmist,  and  yet  so  erect,  alert  and 
vigorous  is  he,  despite  his  three  score  and  ten  years,  his  eye 
not  dim  nor  his  natural  force  abated,  that  he  stands  to-day 
*•  the  unwasted  contemporary  of  his  own  prime." 


THE   GOVERiq-OR'S  STAFF. 

Governor  Dix's  military  family  is  composed  of  the  fol- 
lowing members : 

Maj.-Gen.  John  F.  Eathbone,  of  Albany,  Adjutant- Gene- 
ral, 

Brevet  Maj.-Gen.  William  H.  Morris,  of  Cold  Spring, 
Inspector-  General. 

Brig-Gen.  Kilburn"  KisTOX,  of  New  York,  Chief  of  Ord- 
nance. 

Brig.-Gen.  N.  Gako  Dukk,  of  New  York,  Engineer-in- 
CUef 

Brig.-Gen.  J.  HAMPDEiq"  Wood,  of  Albany,  Judge-Advocate- 
General. 

Brig.-Gen.  William  M.  Smith,  of  Angelica,  Allegany 
county,  Surgeon- General. 

Brig.-Gen.  Johk  N.  Kkapp,  of  Auburn,  Quartermaster- 
General, 

Brig.-Gen.  Rufus  H.  King,  of  Albany,  Faymaster- 
General. 

Brig.-Gen.  Henry  Heath,  of  Brooklyn,  Commissary- 
General  of  Subsistence. 

Col.  George  G.  Hayen,  of  New  York;  Col.  Chester 
Griswold,  of  Troy ;  Col.  Robert  C.  Pruyn,  of  Albany ; 
Col.  Hamilton  Fish,  Jr.,  of  New  York ;  Col.  Wm.  A.  W. 
Stewart,  of  New  York ;  Col.  Hiram  P.  Hopkins,  of  Buf- 
falo, Aides-de-Cam2?.  Military  Secretary ,  Col.  Sidney 
De  Kay. 


John  A.  Dix.  19 

General  Rathbone  has  long  shown  a  deep  interest  in 
the  National  Guard,  and  his  distinction  as  the  commanding 
officer  for  years  of  the  Ninth  Brigade,  his  high  executive  and 
organizing  ability,  combined  to  eminently  fit  him  for  the  im- 
portant position  of  Adjutant-General.  He  has  long  been  the 
ardent  friend  of  our  State  military  organization.  During  the 
war,  as  the  commandant  of  the  Albany  Depot  of  Volunteers 
and  all  the  branch  depots  subsidiary  to  it,  and  having  some- 
times from  twenty  to  forty  thousand  men  under  his  imme- 
diate charge,  he  evinced  great  capacity  for  organization,  and 
few  men  rendered  such  signal  service  in  the  preparation  of 
New  York's  quota  for  the  war  of  the  Union. 

General  William  H.  Morris,  the  Inspector-General,  has 
served  upon  the  staff  as  Commissary-General  of  Ordnance, 
and  also  in  the  army  of  the  Union.  He  is  a  good  soldier 
and  a  cultured  gentleman.  Gen.  Knox  was  for  some  time 
Captain  of  the  13th  Regular  Infantry,  and  subsequently  served 
on  the  staff  of  General  McPherson.  He  is  every  way  qualified 
for  the  honorable  place  assigned  him.  Gen.  N.  Gang  Dunn, 
the  Engineer-in-Chief,  has  been  prominently  identified  with 
the  military  in  New  York,  where  he  has  acquired  the  reputa- 
tion of  a  thorough  and  accomplished  officer.  General  Wood, 
the  Judge- Advocate-General,  is  a  young  lawyer  of  honorable 
standing  in  his  profession,  and  the  highest  personal  worth. 
He  is  a  son  of  Hon.  Bradford  R.  Wood,  late  American 
Minister  to  Denmark. 

Gen.  Smith  is  a  physician,  occupying  a  front  place  in  his 
profession. 

Gen.  John  N.  Knapp,  Quartermaster-General,  late  the  able 
and  efficient  secretary  of  the  Republican  State  Committee, 
is  a  gentleman  of  high  business  and  social  position.  The 
Paymaster-General,  Gen.  Rufus  H.  King,  bears  a  name  and 
is  identified  with  a  family  honorably  associated  with  the  staff 
in  the  past,  and  is  himself  a  genial,  cultivated  gentleman. 

A  word  or  two  about  the  aides.  Col.  George  G.  Haven  is 
a  gentleman  of  high  standing  in  the  financial  and  social  cir- 


20  Life  Sketches, 

cles  of  the  metropolis.  Col.  Chester  Griswold  is  the 
eldest  son  of  the  late  Hon.  John"  A.  Griswold,  and  his 
appointment  is  a  graceful  testimony,  both  of  the  regard  of 
Gov.  Dix  for  the  memory  of  his  lamented  father,  and  of  his 
appreciation  of  the  worth  of  the  accomplished  son.  Col. 
Egbert  C.  Pruyn  is  the  son  of  Hon.  Egbert  H.  Pruyi^, 
and  is  equally  fitted  for  the  position  of  Aide,  by  his  military 
tastes  and  his  gentlemanly  bearing.  Col.  Hamiltgn  Fish, 
Jr.,  inherits  not  only  the  name  but  the  culture  of  the  dis- 
tinguished Secretary  of  State.  Col.  William  A.  W.  Stew 
art  is  the  son  of  Jghk"  A.  Stewart,  the  well-known 
President  of  the  Trust  Company.  Col.  Hiram  P.  Hgpkiks 
js  the  son  of  Comptroller  Hopkins,  and  worthily  represents 
the  city  which  is  honored  in  his  selection. 

Col.  De  Kay  got  his  practical  military  education  by  long 
and  arduous  service  in  our  own  war,  and  afterward  in  Greece, 
whither  he  went  as  a  volunteer  and  nearly  lost  his  life  through 
a  severe  wound.  Both  from  his  legal  and  military  acquire- 
ments he  is  peculiarly  fitted  to  discharge  the  duties  of  the 
place  to  which  the  Governor  has  called  him. 


»  >  1  >  J 

»  •  •  3    » 


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John  C.  Robinson.  21 

JOHN  C.   ROBINSON, 

LIEUTENANT-GOVERNOR. 

Men  often  in  a  single  sentence  as  perfectly  reveal  their 
ruling  passion  and  peculiar  traits  of  character,  as  in  long 
years  of  public  service.  Grant's  saying, "  We  will  fight  it  out 
on  this  line  if  it  takes  all  summer,"  affords  as  clear  an  illus- 
tration of  his  sturdy  persistency,  as  if  he  had  written  a  score 
of  volumes  to  prove  that  perseverance  is  the  cardinal  virtue. 

General  Dix's  mental  activity  and  proverbial  promptitude 
found  expression  in  his  famous  saying,  "  If  any  one  hauls 
down  th«  American  flag,  shoot  him  on  the  spot !  *'  The  sen- 
tence is  an  embodiment  of  uncompromising  patriotism,  and  it 
affords  a  perfect  illustration  of  the  energetic  character  of  the 
man.  Scarcely  less  striking,  and  more  epigramatic  was  the 
expression  made  use  of  by  the  distinguished  soldier,  the  pres- 
ent Lieutenant-Governor  of  N^ew  York,  whose  name  stands  at 
the  head  of  this  sketch.  When  General  Robinson  was  lead- 
ing his  division,  amid  a  shower  of  bullets,  against  Spottsyl- 
vania,  he  encouraged  his  followers  with  the  battle-cry,  "This 
PLACE  MUST  BE  OURS."  The  words  indicate  that  peculiar  deter- 
mination and  courage  which  constitute  the  leading  features 
in  the  General's  character  —  features  that  are  prominently 
brought  out  in  a  survey  of  his  life. 

John  Cleveland  Robinson  was  born  in  Binghamton, 
Broome  county,  April  10,  1817.  He  entered  the  Military 
Academy  in  1835,  and  remained  there  until  1838,  when  he 
began  the  study  of  law,  but  received  in  1839  a  commission  as 
second  lieutenant  in  the  Fifth  infantry.  He  was  ordered  to 
the  Rio  Grande  in  1845,  and  was  promoted  to  be  first  lieu- 
tenant during  the  Mexican  war,  in  which  he  was  distin- 
guished at  the  battle  of  Monterey.  At  the  close  of  that  war 
he  served  with  his  regiment  in  Arkansas,  in  the  Cherokee 
nation,  and  Texas ;  was  made  captain  in  1850,  and  was  after- 


23  Life  Sketches. 

ward  seufc  against  tlielndian;^  in  Florida.  In  1857  he  accom- 
panied the  army  in  Utah,  and  was  placed  in  command  of 
Fort  Bridger.  At  the  beginning  of  the  civil  war  he  com- 
manded at  Fort  McHenry,  Baltimore.  When  relieved  from 
this  duty  he  was  sent  to  the  West,  as  mustering  officer,  and 
remained  as  such  until  appointed  colonel  of  the  First  Regiment 
of  Michigan  volunteers.  He  was  promoted  to  be  major  of 
the  Second  infantry  in  February,  1862 ;  was  made  brigadier- 
general  of  volunteers  in  the  following"  April,  and  took  com- 
mand of  a  brigade  at  Newport  News  in  May,  but  was  soon 
ordered  to  the  army  of  the  Potomac,  and  placed  in  command 
of  the  First  Brigade  of  Kearney's  division,  the  corps  of 
G-eneral  Heintzelmak.  He  was  distinguished  during  the 
seven  days  battles  before  Richmond,  particularly  those  fought 
on  June  30  and  July  1,  1862,  when  he  was  slightly  wounded. 
He  participated  in  the  Fredericksburg,  Gettysburg,  Center- 
ville,  Culpepper,  Mine  Run  and  Rapidan  campaigns.  When 
the  army  of  the  Potomac  started  on  the  overland  campaign  of 
1864,  General  Robin'SON"  was  in  tjommand  of  a  division  in  the 
Fifth  corps,  and  at  the  opening  of  the  battle  of  Spottsylvania 
he  was  ordered  to  the  advance  on  Todd's  Tavern,  with  Gen- 
eral Sheridan's  cavalry.  On  reaching  the  Cross  Roads,  the 
enemy  made  a  determined  stand  behind  breastworks.  An 
attempt  was  made  to  carry  this  position,  which  failed,  when 
General  Robinson,  riding  coolly  up  to  the  head  of  his  men, 
said,  "  This  place  must  be  ours ! "  and  asked  his  command  to 
follow  him. 

The  call  was  responded  to  with  enthusiasm,  and  a  charge 
was  made.  A  terrible  fire  of  musketry  was  encountered,  and 
General  Robinson  received  a  bullet  in  his  left  knee,  the 
wound  rendering  amputation  of  the  thigh  necessary.  After 
his  convalescence,  General  Robinson  was  unable  to  endure 
the  fatigues  of  active  duty,  and  was  employed  in  various 
capacities  until  1869,  when  he  retired  from  active  service  with 
the  full  rank  of  Major- General.     Since  that  date  he  has  been 


JoBN  C.  Robinson.  23 

an  active  and  efficient  member  of  the  Republican  party,  but 
has  taken  no  very  prominent  part  in  public  affairs. 

During  the  extended  military  service  of  General  Robiis'SON", 
he  passed  through  many  thrilling  incidents  and  perils. 
How  he  saved  Fort  McHenry  at  Baltimore  from  capture  is 
well  worth  relating  here.  It  was  the  first  of  the  series  of 
strategy  which  our  government  and  our  military  command- 
ers were  so  often  obliged  to  resort  to.  He  had  with  him 
only  one  hundred  men ;  and,  after  the  attack  on  the  sixth 
Massachusetts  in  the  streets  of  Baltimore,  the  rebels  contem- 
plated seizing  on  the  fort,  succeeding  in  which,  they  would 
have  gained  an  advantage  of  the  greatest  importance.  A 
steamer  opportunely  came  in  to  coal,  and  General  Robin'SON" 
seized  upon  the  event  to  create  the  impression  that  she  had 
brought  in  reinforcements.  He  put  up  tents  and  made  a 
display,  seemingly  of  a  large  force  of  troops  newly  arrived 
and  hastily  accommodated.  The  rnse  succeeded.  The 
rebels  thought  their  attack  had  been  anticipated  and  pre- 
pared for ;  so  Fort  McHenry  remained  in  our  possession  ever 
after,  to  declare  to  the  rebels  that,  even  though  they  cap- 
tured Wasiiington,  it  would  be  of  no  permanent  advantage 
to  them. 

General  Robinsox,  with  all  the  austerity  of  a  military 
nature,  yet  has  a  very  kindly  heart.  He  is  a  thorough 
republican;  loves  the  jieople,  and  has  an  abiding  faith  in 
their  capacity  to  govern  themselves.  He  is  inclined  to  socia- 
bility, when  once  his  "  outworks  of  reserve  "  are  penetrated, 
and  he  then  becomes  as  communicative  as  any  one  could 
wish. 

In  the  convention  which  nominated  General  RoBiifSOif 
for  Lieutenant-Governor,  several  admirable  names  were  sug- 
gested. Senator  Thayer,  of  Troy,  the  chief  competitor, 
had  hosts  of  wa^pi  friends,  and  would  have  peculiarly  graced 
the  position.  But  the  soldierly  qualities  of  General  Robin- 
son" gained  him  the  day.  His  supporters  adopted  his  motto, 
and  gained  success  to  the  cry  "  this  place  (on  the  ticket)  shall 


24  Life  Sketches, 

be  ours."  The  career  of  General  RoBi:N"SO]!q-  is  well  known 
to  the  people.  One  of  the  most  gallant  and  distinguished 
soldiers  of  the  Empire  State,  his  record  in  the  war  is  of  the 
brightest  lustre.  His  comrades  in  arms  presented  him  with 
a  unanimity  and  a  zeal  which  showed  their  high  appreciation 
of  his  great  soldierly  worth ;  and  the  people  of  the  State 
elected  him  by  a  most  flattering  vote. 

General  EoBiiq"SOi^  presides  over  the  Senate  with  dignity, 
courtesy,  and  strict  impartiality.  Not  a  skillful  parliamen- 
tarian, he  impresses  political  friend  and  opponent  alike  with 
the  honesty  of  his  intentions  and  as  a  consequence  his  rulings 
are  rarely  appealed  from.  In  addition  to  his  duties  as 
President  of  "  The  Upper  House,"  the  General  is  a  member 
of  the  Canal  Board,  is  one  of  the  commissioners  of  the 
Land  Office,  and  of  the  Canal  fund,  is  a  trustee  of  the  Capital, 
State  Lunatic  Asylum  and  State  Hall,  and,  ex  officio,  one  of 
the  Regents  of  the  University. 


Deidrich  Willers,  Jr.  25 


DIEDRICH  WILLERS,  Jr., 

SECRETARY   OP  STATE. 

In  the  person  of  the  present  Secretary  of  State,  we  have 
the  first  example,  under  our  present  State  Constitution,  of  an 
elective  State  oflBcer  who  has  arisen  through  the  various 
gradations,  from  the  lowest  round  of  the  ladder  to  the  top- 
most, through  the  positions  of  Clerk  and  Deputy,  to  that  of 
head  of  the  Department,  a  notable  instance  of  the  workings 
of  "  Civil  Service  Reform." 

Mr.  Willers  was  born  of  German  parentage,  in  the  town 
of  Varick,  county  of  Seneca,  where  he  still  resides,  on  the 
third  day  of  November,  1833. 

His  father.  Reverend  Diedrich  Willers,  D.  D.,  a  native 
of  Bremen,  Germany,  who  is  still  living  at  the  advanced  age 
of  seventy-six  years  (left  an  orphan  in  early  childhood),  was 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  his  native  city,  and  at  the 
age  of  sixteen  years  enlisted  in  the  army  of  Hanover,  for 
the  defense  of  his  fatherland,  against  the  French  invader. 
He  was  an  active  participant  with  the  allied  forces  under  the 
Duke  of  Wellington  at  the  memorable  three  days'  battle  of 
Waterloo,  in  Belgium,  in  June,  1815,  against  Napoleon 
Bonaparte,  and  received  a  silver  medal  for  bravery  in  action. 

After  a  military  service  of  five  years,  he  left  the  army,  and 
having  spent  a  short  time  with  his  friends,  he  embarked  for 
America,  in  the  year  1819,  and  landed  in  Baltimore,  Mary- 
land, in  October  of  that  year,  with  only  a  few  dollars  in  his 
pocket,  but  possessed  of  industry  and  perseverance,  those 
indispensable  requisites  to  success.  Following  a  purpose 
formed  in  early  life,  he  took  up  the  study  of  theology,  to 
which  he  had  previously  given  much  thought  and  read- 
ing. After  a  course  of  study  under  private  tutors,  he  was 
licensed  in  the  ministry  and  accepted  a  call  to  preach  to 
congregations  in  Seneca  countv,  New  York,  in  April,  1821, 
4 


26  Life  Sketches. 

and  has  continued  in  the  uninterrupted  discharge  of 
ministerial  duty,  preaching  in  the  German  and  English 
languages  to  his  congregations  in  that  county,  to  the  present 
time,  a  continuous  period  of  nearly  fifty-three  years. 

As  a  clergyman  he  is  highly  esteemed  and  influential  in  his 
denomination,  and  a  number  of  years  ago  received  the  hon- 
orary degree  of  Doctor  of  Divinity,  from  Franklin  and  Mar- 
shall College,  at  Lancaster,  Penn. 

The  mother  of  Secretary  Willers,  still  living,  was  born  in 
New  Holland,  Lancaster  county,  Penn.,  of  German  parentage, 
her  ancestry  having  migrated  to  this  country,  from  the 
Palatinate,  over  150  years  ago. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  the  sixth  of  a  family  of 
eight  children.  Every  one  familiar  with  "life  in  a  country 
parsonage  "  will  know  something  of  the  trials  and  privations 
of  the  hard-Avorked  and  poorly-paid  country  pastor.  ■ 

It  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  young  Willers  thus  early 
became  accustomed  to  a  life  of  toil.  Eesiding  in  a  rural  com- 
munity, his  time  was  divided  between  working  upon  a  farm 
in  summer  and  attending  a  district  school  in  winter. 

With  the  exception  of  two  terms  of  instruction  at  the 
Seneca  Falls  Academy,  during  one  of  which,  in  1853,  he 
recited  to  Gilbert  0.  Walker,  late  Governor  of  the  State  of 
Virginia,  his  course  of  study  was  confined  to  the  district 
school,  and  to  instruction  in  German  and  the  classics  with 
his  father.  When  inquiry  is  made  as  to  his  Alma  Mater,  Mr. 
Willers  always  frankly  states  that  he  is  a  graduate  of  a 
people's  college,  "  School  District  Number  Two,  Varick." 

Subsequently,  Mr.  Willers  engaged  in  teaching  in  the 
district  schools  of  his  town,  commencing  his  first  term  at  the 
early  age  of  sixteen,  at  a  compensation  of  twelve  dollars  per 
month,  and  boarding  himself,  and  continuing  in  this  vocation, 
when  not  laboring  upon  a  farm,  during  five  or  six  years. 

After  Mr.  Willers  had  arrived  at  the  age  of  twenty -two 
years,  he  entered  a  printing  office  with  a  view  to  learn  the 
printing  business,  and  enter  upon  an  editorial   career,  he 


DiEDRICH    WiLLERS,   Jr.  27 

having  been  a  frequent  contributor  to  the  political  press ; 
but,  after  a  service  at  the  printer's  case  of  about  two  months, 
he  was  reluctantly  compelled  to  abandon  a  cherished  pursuit, 
by  reason  of  ill-health,  from  which  he  suffered  for  several 
years. 

Having,  at  intervals  of  toil,  devoted  himself  to  the  read- 
ing of  law  and  attended  a  course  of  instruction  at  the  Albany 
Law  University,  he  was  admitted  to  practice  as  an  attorney 
at  law  a  number  of  years  ago,  although  he  has  never  actively 
engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession. 

Designed  by  his  father  for  the  ministry,  he  however  early 
took  a  decided  interest  in  politics,  and  long  before  he  was 
twenty-one  years  of  age,  espoused  the  cause  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party,  joining  the  Hard-Shell  branch  of  the  Democracy, 
and  casting  his  first  vote  for  Judge  Greene  C.  Bronson,  for 
Governor,  in  1854.  After  the  re-union  of  the  party  in  1856, 
Mr.  WiLLERS  took  a  very  active  part  in  the  presidential  can- 
vass of  that  year,  as  well  as  in  1857. 

Upon  the  election  of  the  Democratic  State  ticket,  in  the 
fall  of  1857,  Mr.  W.  was  appointed  by  Hon.  Gideon  J.  Tucker, 
Secretary  of  State,  to  a  clerkship  in  his  office,  upon  the  duties 
of  which  position  he  entered  in  January  following,  and  in 
which,  by  his  industry  and  faithfulness,  he  soon  Avon  the  con- 
fidence of  his  chief,  and  was  re-appointed  by  Hon.  David  R. 
Floyd  Jones,  and  served  with  him  during  his  term  as  Sec- 
retary of  State  in  18G0  and  1861. 

Although  Mr.  Willers  actively  supported  Mr.  Jones  for 
re-election,  and  the  Democratic  ticket,  in  the  campaign  of 
November,  1861,  he  was,  without  solicitation  upon  his  part, 
re-appointed  by  Hon.  Horatio  Ballard,  and  remained  in 
the  office  of  the  Secretary  of  State  during  the  years  1862 
and  1863. 

Upon  the  expiration  of  Mr.  Ballard's  term,  Mr.  Willers 
was  appointed  by  Governor  Sey3I0ur  as  his  Private  Secre- 
tary, and  served  as  such  during  the  most  trying  period  of  the 
late  civil  war. 


28  Life  Sketches. 

How  well  Mr.  Willers  served  in  this  capacity,  the  com- 
plimentary remarks  made  by  Governor  Seymour,  in  the 
Democratic  State  Convention  at  Utica,  in  October,  1873, 
upon  the  occasion  of  Mr.  Willers'  second  nomination  for 
Secretary  of  State,  will  best  attest,  when  he  said : 

"Having  known  Mr.  Willers  for  many  years,  having  been 
closely  associated  with  him  in  the  discharge  of  duty,  I  can 
say  that  in  my  opinion  there  is  no  man  in  the  State  whom 
I  could  vote  for,  for  this  position,  with  more  pleasure  than  I 
can  vote  for  Diedrich  Willers,  Jr.  He  is  not  only  an 
honorable,  capable  and  honest  man,  but  a  faithful  one.  Dur- 
ing all  the  time  he  was  in  that  office,  he  was  never  known  to 
be  absent  from  his  post  of  duty.  For  this  office  you  want  a 
man  who  will  faithfully  discharge  its  duties  himself,  and  Mr. 
Willers  is  the  man  of  all  others  to  do  this.  It  is  no  mere 
form,  when  we  take  up  a  man  who  has  performed  his  duties 
at  the  lowest  round  of  the  ladder,  and  lift  him  to  the  highest. 
It  means  that  there  is  true  merit  in  the  man.  I  have  known 
Mr.  Willers  long  and  well,  as  I  have  already  said.  I  knew 
him  all  through  the  trying  time,  when  I  was  Governor,  and 
of  all  the  men  surrounding  me  and  my  office,  I  found  no 
man  upon  whom  I  could  rely  with  more  implicit  confidence." 

Eetiring,  at  the  close  of  his  term  of  service  with  Governor 
Seymour  in  December,  1864,  to  his  home  in  Seneca  county, 
Mr.  Willers  resumed  his  old  occupation  as  a  farmer,  and  in 
March,  1865,  was  elected  supervisor  of  his  native  town,  and 
was  re-elected  the  year  following,  serving  as  chairman  of  the 
board  both  years,  and  rendering  great  assistance  to  his  town 
and  county  in  the  adjustment  of  war  accounts,  at  the  close 
of  the  war. 

In  March,  1867,  Mr.  Willers  was  appointed,  by  President 
JoHis^soiT,  to  a  clerkship  in  the  office  of  the  Second  Auditor 
of  the  Treasury,  at  Washington,  D.  C,  which  position  he 
held  to  the  close  of  that  year. 

The  Democratic  State  ticket  having  been  elected  in  the 
fall  of  1867,  Mr.  Willers  was  appointed  by  Hon.  Homer 
A.  Nelso]^"  as  Deputy  Secretary  of  State,  which  position  he 


DiEDRICH   WiLLERS,  Jr.  29 

filled  with  great  acceptance  to  the  public  for  four  years, 
developing  executive  ability  of  a  high  order. 

In  the  summer  of  1871,  the  name  of  Mr.  Willers  was 
extensively  canvassed  by  the  Democratic  press  for  the  nomin- 
ation of  Secretary  of  State,  Secretary  Nelson  declining  a 
renomination  in  favor  of  his  deputy. 

After  a  sharp  preliminary  canvass,  during  which  nearly a11 
the  older  or  managing  politicians  of  the  party  opposed  his 
nomination,  the  friends  of  Mr.  Willers  being  strongly  in 
the  ascendancy  at  the  Democratic  State  Convention  at  Roch- 
ester, he  was  nominated  by  acclamation  for  Secretary  of 
State. 

Although  the  Democratic  State  ticket  was  borne  down  by 
adverse  circumstances  in  the  disastrous  campaign  of  1871, 
Mr.  WiLLKRS  handsomely  led  his  associates  upon  the  ticket, 
receiving  the  highest  vote  cast  for  any  nominee  of  his  party 
in  that  year. 

At  the  beginning  of  the  year  1872,  Mr.  Willers  received 
from  Governor  Hoffman  the  appointment  of  Assistant  Pay- 
master General  with  the  rank  of  Colonel,  and  was  detailed 
for  duty  in  the  Executive  Chamber,  in  charge  of  the  exam- 
ination of  bills  passed  by  the  Legislature,  for  which  his 
extensive  acquaintance  with  statutory  law  and  the  machinery 
of  our  State  Government  particularly  fitted  him. 

Upon  retiring  from  the  Executive  Chamber,  Mr.  Willers 
received,  in  January,  1873,  an  appointment  as  one  of  the 
Secretaries  of  the  Constitutional  Commission,  then  in  session 
at  Albany. 

After  the  final  adjournment  of  the  Commission  in  March, 
1873,  Mr.  Willers  returned  to  his  home  and  again  resumed 
labor  upon  his  father's  farm,  where  he  devoted  himself 
to  the  active  duties  of  farm  life  during  the  year. 

His  name  having  been  canvassed  by  the  Democratic  press 
for  the  nomination  for  Secretary  of  State,  Mr.  Willers  was 
again  strongly  opposed  by  active  leading  political  managers 
who  usually  make  up  the  party  slates,  but  after  a  sharp  can- 


30  Life  Sketches. 

vass,  and  notwithstanding  a  factious  opposition  in  the  Con- 
vention, he  was  again  unanimously  nominated  by  the  Demo- 
cratic State  Convention  held  at  Utica,  and  his  nomination 
was  indorsed  at  the  Liberal  Eepublican  State  Convention 
held  at  Elmira,  in  the  same  month. 

The  result  of  the  election  was  favorable  to  the  Democracy, 
and  Mr.  Willers  was  declared  elected  Secretary  of  State  by 
about  10,000  majority. 

Mr.  Willers  entered  upon  his  office  with  an  intimate 
knowledge  of  the  duties  thereof  and  of  the  machinery  of 
the  State  Government,  and  having  an  extensive  acquaintance 
with  the  politics  and  public  men  of  the  State. 

Emphatically  a  man  of  the  people,  self-made,  a  determined 
enemy  of  all  rings  and  monopolies,  aiming  at  the  rights 
of  the  people;  courteous,  attentive,  faithful  and  capable,  he 
entered  upon  office  under  the  most  favorable  auspices. 

Although  active  as  a  Democratic  politician,  and  a  frequent 
delegate  at  State  and  County  Conventions,  he  has  preserved 
a  deserved  personal  popularity  wherever  he  is  best  known, 
and  when  running  as  a  candidate  he  received  the  highest 
majority  ever  given  to  a  Democratic  nominee  in  his  town 
and  county. 

Reserved  and  modest  in  demeanor,  firm  and  decided  in  his 
convictions  of  duty,  Mr.  Willers  has  always  carefully 
guarded  the  public  interests,  and  is,  in  the  true  sense  of  the 
term,  a  "  Reformer." 

Having  never  embarked  in  matrimony,  it  is  no  wonder 
that  Mr.  Willers  has  been  so  closely  wedded  to  his  State. 

It  is  a  somewhat  curious  coincidence,  that  Mr.  Willers 
was  born  in  the  first  year  of  the  term  of  Hon.  John"  A.  Dix, 
as  Secretary  of  State,  in  1833. 

The  career  of  Mr.  Willers  affords  another  illustration 
how,  under  our  form  of  Government,  the  humblest  citizen 
may,  by  pursuing  right  paths,  attain  to  high  positions  of 
honor  and  trust. 


»  5  »   > 

1  3  ^  »  ^ 


c         c 
(  c 

«  .  .  « 


^AA^ 


Nelson-  K,  Hopkins,  31 


NELSON  K.  HOPKINS, 

COMPTROLLER. 

The  family  of  Hon.  Nelson  K.  Hopkins,  Comptroller  of 
the  State,  was  of  New  England  origin.  His  father.  General 
Timothy  S.  Hopkins,  emigrated  in  the  year  1800  from 
Great  Barrington,  Mass.,  to  Williamsville,  a  small  town  in 
the  vicinity  of  Buffalo,  in  the  then  county  of  Niagara.  By 
occupation  a  farmer,  he  was  a  man  of  sterling  sense  and 
worth,  and  held  various  public  offices  of  trust  and  honor, 
both  in  the  civil  and  military  service.  He  was  commissioned 
as  a  Captain  by  Gov.  George  Clinton,  as  Major,  by  Gov. 
Morgan  Lewis,  and  as  Lieutenant-Colonel  and  Brigadier- 
General,  by  Gov.  Daniel  D.  Tompkins.  Nelson,  the  second 
of  the  five  sons  now  living,  was  born  on  the  2d  of  March, 
1819.  He  remained  on  the  farm  until  he  was  about  sixteen 
years  of  age,  when  he  attended  school  for  a  time  at  Fredonia, 
in  the  county  of  Chautauqua.  From  1838  to  1840,  he  was 
a  student  in  the  Genesee  "Wesleyan  Seminary  at  Lima,  wliere 
he  completed  his  collegiate  preparations,  and  in  the  spring 
of  the  latter  year  entered  the  sophomore  class  of  Union 
College,  graduating  in  1842  with  high  standing.  Among  his 
class-mates  were  several  who  have  since  attained  distinction, 
including  Hon.  Clarkson  N.  Potter,  member  of  Congress, 
and  Hon.  James  Wood,  late  of  the  State  Senate.  In  connec- 
tion with  the  latter,  an  interesting  circumstance  is  related  of 
young  Hopkins.  The  two  students,  as  was  not  unfrequent 
among  their  associates,  visited  Albany  on  one  occasion,  and 
neither  being  blessed  with  a  surplus  of  money,  they  found 
themselves,  at  the  close  of  their  stay,  without  the  means  of 
returning.  In  this  exigency,  nothing  daunted,  the  spirited 
young  men  started  on  foot,  and  faithfully  trudged  all  the  way 
from  Albany  to  Schenectady. 

Even  before  entering  college,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  had 


32  Life  Sketches. 

evinced  strong  force  of  character  and  energy  of  purpose.  At 
the  age  of  nineteen,  he  had  been  elected  captain  of  a  company 
in  the  State  militia,  and  at  the  time  of  the  "Patriot  War," 
which  centered  about  the  Niagara  river,  though  still  a  student 
at  Lima,  he  was  called  home  to  enter  the  service  with  his 
company,  and  for  a  month  had  command  of  Black  Rock  in 
the  vicinity  of  Buffalo.  Eeturning  from  college,  Mr.  Hopkins 
began  the  study  of  law  in  the  office  of  Hon.  Elbridge  G. 
Spauldiistg,  at  Buffalo,  and,  in  1846,  was  admitted  as  an 
attorney.  From  the  very  first,  he  has  enjoyed  an  honorable 
and  lucrative  practice.  He  has  especially  had  confided  to 
him  the  most  delicate  duties  in  the  settlement  of  estates,  the 
establishment  of  titles  and  all  that  branch  of  professional 
service,  and,  in  these  positions  of  fiduciary  trust,  has  secured 
the  highest  respect  for  his  honor,  fidelity  and  capacity.  Jn 
1848,  he  married  the  only  daughter  of  Hon.  Orlando  Allen. 
This  union  was  severed  by  death  in  1853.  In  1855  he 
married  his  present  wife,  who  is  the  eldest  daughter  of  the 
late  Hon.  Hiram  Pratt,  and  a  most  estimable  lady.  His 
family  consists  of  five  children,  one  by  his  first  wife  and  four 
by  his  second. 

Although  Mr.  Hopkins  has  always  been  actively  engaged 
in  professional  labors,  he  has,  at  various  times,  been  called  to 
serve  his  fellow-citizens.  Frequently  elected  supervisor  and 
alderman,  he  was  also  one  year  president  of  the  common 
council.  In  1866,  he  was  appointed  Collector  of  Internal 
Revenue,  and  filled  that  position  with  credit  and  satisfaction. 
He  has  also  been  for  many  years  a  director  and  attorney  of  ' 
White's  Bank  at  Buffalo ;  attorney  for  the  Western  Savings 
Bank ;  life-member  of  the  Young  Men's  Association ;  trustee 
of  the  Free  Grosvenor  Library,  and  has  held  many  positions 
of  public  and  professional  trust,  attesting  the  high  esteem 
with  which  he  is  regarded  by  the  community  where  he  lives. 
Such  was  the  great  respect  entertained  for  him  by  those 
among  whom  he  has  always  resided,  and  such  their  elevated 
opinion,  especially  of  the  conscientiousness  and  ability  for 


Nelson  K.  Hopkins.  33 

» 

financial  administration  which  he  has  displayed  throughout 
his  career,  that,  without  his  own  solicitation  or  knowledge, 
he  was  unanimously  presented  by  the  Erie  delegation  at  the 
Republican  State  Convention  of  1871,  as  a  candidate  for 
Comptroller,  and  promptly  nominated.  He  and  his  associates 
were  recognized  as  embodying  the  reform  sentiment  then  so 
pronounced  among  the  people,  and  the  ticket  was  elected  by 
a  handsome  majority. 

Mr.  Hopkins  having  served  the  State  for  two  years,  and 
made  a  shining  reputation  for  ability  and  integrity,  the  dele- 
gates to  the  Republican  State  Convention  of  1873  were 
unanimously  of  the  opinion  that  one  good  term,  such  as  his, 
pre-eminently  deserved  another,  and,  accordingly,  when  the 
time  came  to  name  a  candidate  for  Comptroller,  Nelson  K. 
Hopkins  was  renominated  by  acclamation,  amid  the  hearty 
applause  of  the  convention.  This  nomination  was  also  made 
by  the  Liberals,  and,  on  election  day,  the  people  handsomely 
ratified  it.  Mr.  Hopkins,  although  he  was  figured  out  badly 
defeated  the  morning  after  the  November  election,  was. a  few 
days  after  shown,  by  the  official  vote,  to  have  been  successful 
by  a  majority  of  4,065.  Tliis  result,  in  view  of  the  fact  that 
the  rest  of  the  State  ticket  met  with  very  "heavy  weather," 
was  peculiarly  gratifying.  It  was  celebrated  in  a  befitting 
manner  by  the  members  of  the  Republican  General  Commit- 
tee and  the  Unconditional  Political  Club  of  Albany,  who, 
accompanied  by  a  goodly  number  of  the  other  leading  Repub- 
licans of  the  city,  serenaded,  paid  their  respects  and  offered 
their  congratulations  to  Mr.  Hopkins  a  few  evenings  after 
his  election.  '  Governor  Dix,  who  was  serenaded  on  the  route, 
made  a  speech,  in  which  he  said : 

Fellow-Citizens — I  am  greatly  obliged  to  you  for  this 
friendly  call  on  me.  It  is  the  more  gratifying  because  it 
affords  me  the  opportunity  of  saying  to  you  how  cordially  I 
concur  in  the  principal  object  of  your  demonstration  to-night 
—  to  congratulate  Mr.  Hopkins  on  his  re-election  to  the 
office  of  Comptroller  of  the  State.  His  success,  and  the 
popular  approval  he  has  received;  are  a  just  and  well-merited 
5 


34  Life  Sketches. 

m 

tribute  to  a  faithful,  efficient  and  conscientious  public  officer. 
Indeed,  I  should  have  regarded  his  defeat,  at  this  juncture, 
as  a  calamity  to  the  State.  We  all  know  that  in  past  years, 
and  years  not  very  remote,  there  has  been  in  the  administra- 
tion of  our  finances  much  which  was  loose,  much  which  was 
unauthorized  and  wasteful,  and  some  things  which,  in  my 
judgment,  were  in  violation  of  our  faith  to  public  creditors. 
These  wrongs  I  know  Mr.  Hopkins  to  be  earnestly  desirous 
of  redressing,  and  I  do  not  doubt  that,  with  the  co-operation 
of  the  Legislature,  the  good  work  may  be  accomplished  within 
the  time  for  which  he  has  been  re-elected. 

The  Comptroller  himself  was  found  in  one  of  the  spacious 
parlors  of  Congress  Hall,  and  an  informal  reception  was 
held,  during  which  nearly  all  of  the  Kepublicans  present 
took  advantage  of  the  opportunity  afforded  to  personally 
congratulate  him  on  his  re-election  and  the  victory  he  had 
achieved.  Hand-shaking  over,  the  party  proceeded  to  the 
front  of  the  building,  and  after  several  airs  had  been  per- 
formed by  the  band,  Mr.  H.  made  his  appearance  on  the 
piazza,  and,  after  being  introduced  to  the  large  crowd  in 
attendance  by  the  Chairman  of  the  Central  Committee,  he 
spoke  as  follows : 

Citizens  of  Albany  —  Accept  my  sincere  thanks  for  the 
compliment  of  this  beautiful  serenade.  I  do  not  receive  it  as 
personal  to  myself,  but  as  an  expression  of  your  satisfaction 
at  the  popular  indorsement,  so  far  as  they  were  represented  in 
my  candidacy,  of  the  principles  and  the  public  policy  to  which 
w^e  are  all  equally  attached.  However  glad  I  should  per- 
sonally feel  to  be  relieved  of  the  onerous  duties  of  the  Comp- 
trollership,  I  share  your  congratulations  upon  the  measure 
of  success  which  attends  our  good  cause.  Beyond  sincerely 
shrinking  from  another  term  of  the  always  exacting  and  sel- 
dom agreeable  labors  of  the  office,  my  gratification  in  this 
hour  of  rejoicing,  like  yours,  is  only  tempered  by  the  reflection 
that  some  of  your  excellent  and  worthy  candidates  have  been 
defeated  at  the  polls.  But  it  is  a  matter  of  satisfac- 
tion that  the  canvass  through  which  we  have  passed  has 
been  marked,  on  both  sides,  by  so  little  of  personal  criticism, 
and  has  left  so  little  of  personal  feeling,  and  I  trust  that  it 
may  be  found  that  the  officers  you  have  chosen,  and  who 


Nelson  K.  Hopkins.  35 

• 
will  be  associated  in  the  administration  of  public  affairs, 
however  much  they  may  differ  in  their  political  affiliations, 
will  be  able  to  rise  above  all  merely  partisan  considerations 
and  work  together  in  harmony  for  the  public  good. 

The  great  need  of  the  present  time  is  honesty  and  economy 
in  the  management  of  public  trusts.  It  is  a  time  to  enforce 
retrenchment  of  expenditures,  reduction  of  taxation  and 
relief  of  the  popular  burdens  whenever  practicable.  During 
the  period  of  my  service  I  have  tried  faithfully  to  fulfill 
these  duties,  and,  so  far  as  the  popular  expression  is  an  ap- 
proval of  these  labors,  it  will  be  an  encouragement  and  a 
stimulus  to  still  more  earnest  efforts  in  the  same  direction. 
If,  in  this  capacity,  I  can  render  any  aid  to  the  illustrious 
and  honored  statesman  whose  administration  as  Chief 
Magistrate  of  the  State  is  so  entirely  and  successfully  devoted 
to  the  public  welfare,  and  so  universally  applauded  by  the 
people,  it  will  be  to  me  a  source  of  peculiar  and  heartfelt  con- 
solation and  pleasure. 

None  of  his  predecessors  have  received  more  general  and 
cordial  commendation  than  Mr.  Hopkins  has  for  the  sleep- 
less vigilance  with  which  he  has  guarded  the  interests  of  the 
State  and  the  marked  abilit}'^  with  which  he  has  administered 
its  finances.  At  the  outset,  Mr.  Hopkins  adopted  the  rule 
of  giving  the  most  careful  scrutiny  to  every  matter  coming 
before  him,  and  this  rule  he  has  scrupulously  observed, 
transacting  the  business  of  the  State  with  the  same  care  and 
watchfulness  and  frugality  which  he  would  carry  into  the 
conduct  of  private  business.  He  reduced  the  number  of 
assistants  in  his  office,  subjected  every  claim  to  rigorous  in- 
spection, and  made  the  auditing  of  accounts  something 
more  than  a  mere  ministerial  duty.  So  great  is  the  confi- 
dence felt  in  his  integi*ity  and  discretion  that  the  Legislature 
has  vested  him  with  larger  powers  over  the  expenditure  of 
appropriations  in  connection  with  public  institutions  than 
were  ever  before  confided  to  the  Comptroller,  and  it  is  not 
an  undue  estimate  to  say  that  by  his  prudence  and  firmness 
he  has  sav^d  the  State  at  least  half  a  million  dollars.  Not 
only  in  his  practical  administration  of  the  department,  but 
in   his   official   discussions   and   recommendations,   he  has 


36  Life  Sketches. 

• 
shown   conspicuous  talent   for   the   position.      His   annual 

reports  presented  to  the  Legislature  have  attracted  unusual 
attention,  and  commanded  the  hearty  and  unreserved  ap- 
probation of  men  and  journals  of  all  parties,  for  their  incom- 
parably clear  exposition  of  State  finances,  and  their  valuable 
suggestions.  The  general  judgment  is  that  they  fairly  rank 
among  the  best  of  our  State  papers. 

Always  among  his  own  neighbors,  and  now  throughout 
the  State,  Comptroller  HoPKiiq"S  is  respected  for  his  un- 
swerving probity,  his  sound  judgment,  and  his  large  ability. 
Personally  he  is  a  man  of  strong  friendships,  warmly  at- 
taching to  himself  those  with  whom  he  is  brought  into  con- 
tact. Frank,  direct  and  outspoken,  he  is  at  the  same  time 
cordial  and  unaffected,  and  his  fine,  clear-cut  features  express 
at  once  a  firm  decision  of  character  and  winning  amiability 
of  disposition. 


Daniel  Pratt.  37 


DANIEL  PKATT, 

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. 

Hon.  Daniel  Pratt,  Attomey-General,  was  born  in 
Washington  county  in  1806  — a  county  which  gave  birth  to 
such  well  known  men  as  Judges  Savage,  Cowan,  Gray, 
Parker,  Bacon  and  Judge  Nelson  of  the  Supreme  Court 
of  the  United  States.  The  parents  of  Judge  Pratt  were  of 
New  England  origin,  and  in  early  life  the  mind  of  their  son 
was  embued  with  the  positive  qualities  and  sturdy  strength 
that  characterized  the  descendants  of  the  Pilgrims.  Judge 
Pratt's  boyhood  was  passed  in  attending  school  in  the 
winter,  and  working  on  his  father's  farm  at  other  times. 
At  school  he  easily  led  all  the  scholars,  and  was  recognized 
as  the  brightest  boy  in  all  the  region  round.  At  the  age  of 
eighteen  he  taught  a  district  school,  and  was  looked  upon 
by  every  one  as  a  prodigy. 

In  early  life  he  placed  his  mark  high  and  determined  to 
work  his  way  up  to  it,  unaided  by  any  one.  Entering  Cam- 
bridge Academy,  Washington  county,  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
one,  he  remained  there  fifteen  months.  In  1833,  he  entered 
the  junior  class  of  Union  College  —  a  class  of  which,  it  is 
interesting  to  note,  William  Cassidy,  the  late  brilliant 
and  accomplished  editor  of  the  Argus,  was  a  member.  So 
complete  and  thorough  was  his  preparation  that  he  found 
no  difficulty  in  entering  this  advanced  class.  Mathematics 
and  Greek  were  his  favorite  studies,  and  to  these  and  the  rest 
of  his  curriculum,  he  devoted  twelve  hours  out  of  every  twen- 
ty-four. He  graduated  in  1835,  taking  the  highest  honors 
in  his  class.  Then  the  struggle  with  the  world  for  fame 
really  began.  He  determined  to  strike  out  into  new  fields, 
and  journeyed  to  Memphis  on  a  visit  to  an  acquaintance. 
He  remained  there  some  time  employed  in  teaching  a  select 
school,  where  he  made  the  acquaintance  of  the  late  D.  D. 


38  Life  Sketches. 

Hills,  at  that  time  a  lawyer  in  Camillus.  Mr.  Hills  was 
greatly  impressed  by  the  strength  of  mind  and  brilliant  tal- 
ents of  his  new  acquaintance,  and  invited  him  to  study  law 
in  his  office. 

Judge  Pkatt  studied  hard  and  determined  to  master  the 
intricacies  of  his  arduous  profession,  not  content  with  merely 
grasping  the  rudiments.  In  1836  he  was  admitted  to  prac- 
tice in  the  Supreme  Court.  He  removed  with  Mr.  Hills  to 
Syracuse,  and  formed  a  copartnership  with  him.  The  firm 
at  once  took  a  front  rank  in  a  profession  already  over- 
crowded and  adorned  by  leading  minds.  Their  business 
relations  continued  until  1843. 

Under  the  Constitution  prior  to  1846,  the  judges  were 
appointed  by  the  Governor  and  Senate,  and  in  1843,  Gov- 
ernor William  C.  Bouck  appointed  Dan'iel  Pratt  Judge 
of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas  of  Onondaga  county,  a  posi- 
tion he  held  until  the  Constitution  of  1846  went  into  opera- 
tion in  the  beginning  of  1848.  For  four  years  he  held  this 
position,  discharging  his  onerous  duties  with  an  impartiality, 
fairness  and  justice  that  won  the  admiration  of  the  entire 
bar  of  the  State.  His  opinions  and  decisions,  officially  pro- 
mulgated, were  characterized  by  sound  judgment,  practical 
common  sense  and  eminent  learning,  which  characteristics 
are  the  important  elements  of  his  character.  The  Constitu- 
tion of  1846  divided  the  State  into  eight  judicial  districts, 
and  the  Democracy  of  the  counties  of  Onondaga,  Oneida, 
Oswego,  Herkimer,  Jefferson  and  Lewis,  forming  the  Fifth 
Judicial  District,  nominated  Mr.  Pratt  as  one  of  their' can- 
didates for  Supreme  Court  Judge.  He  was  triumphantly 
elected,  and  discharged  the  duties  so  acceptably  that  he  was 
renominated  in  1851,  and  re-elected,  serving  until  January, 
1859.  His  career  as  a  judge  met  the  approval  of  all  parties 
by  reason  of  his  impartiality,  while  his  opinions  on  cases 
brought  before  him  were  considered  among  the  ablest  that 
issued  from  any  judge  on  the  bench  of  the  State. 

Upon  his  retirement  from  the  bench.  Judge  Pratt  formed 


Daniel  Pratt,  39 

a  partnership  with  D.  J.  Mitchell,  Esq.,  one  of  the  most 
brilliant  advocates  in  the  State,  and  Wilder  M.  Browx, 
an  eminent  oflBce  lawyer.  The  firm  at  once  took  a  com- 
manding position  as  one  of  the  strongest  in  the  State,  and 
still  continues.  Judge  Pratt  was  appointed  by  Governor 
Hoffman  a  member  of  the  Constitutional  Commission,  where 
he  at  once  took  a  leading  position  by  his  sound  judgment, 
his  great  legal  ability,  and  his  eminent  learning.  His  posi- 
tion in  the  profession  is  also  shown  by  the  fact  that  the 
Impeachment  Committee  of  the  Assembly  of  1872  selected 
him  as  one  of  their  counsel  to  conduct  the  celebrated  trial 
of  the  notorious  Judge  Barnard.  In  politics  Judge  Pratt 
has  always  been  a  Democrat  and  an  unwavering  supporter 
of  the  party. 

Judge  Pratt  was  elected  to  his  present  honorable  and  re- 
sponsible position  by  a  majority  of  10,111  over  Benjamin  D. 
SiLLiMAN.  The  Syracuse  Coujier,  to  whom  we  are  indebted 
for  many  of  the  facts  in  the  above  sketch,  in  summing  up  a 
brief  biographical  notice  of  the  present  Attorney-General  of 
the  State,  says : 

Judge  Pratt  is  a  positive  man  whose  clear  and  quick  per- 
ceptions, sound  judgment  and  practical  common  sense 
impress  most  forcibly  all  who  come  in  contact  with  him.  As  a 
citizen  he  is  universally  esteemed  and  respected,  while  his 
charitable  nature  always  displayed  in  an  unostentatious 
manner  has  endeared  him  to  those  toward  whom  it  has 
been  exercised.  As  a  lawyer,  Judge  Pratt  occupies  the 
front  rank  in  the  profession.  Firm  as  a  rock  when  bat- 
tling for  the  right,  his  mind  is  unswayed  by  extraneous 
circumstances.  His  integrity  is  acknowledged  by  all,  and 
not  a  breath  of  suspicion  was  ever  raised  by  a  political  or 
legal  foe.  Judge  Pratt  is  a  Democrat  of  the  Jeffersonian 
school.  He  is  a  Democrat  from  principle,  and  his  wisdom 
and  counsels  are  often  consulted  by  party  leaders.  He  will 
add  dignity  to  the  office. 


40  Life  Sketches. 


THOMAS  EAINES, 

STATE  TREASURER. 

Thomas  Eaines,  the  present  Treasurer  of  the  State  of 
New  York,  is  one  of  the  youngest  men  ever  chosen  by  the 
people  for  a  position  of  so  much  importance.  He  is  now  in 
his  thirty-second  year,  and  was  first  called  to  preside  over  the 
Treasury  when  but  twenty-nine.  The  American  people, 
liow^ver,  have  regard  rather  to  ability  than  years,  agreeing 
with  the  Earl  of  Chatham,  that  youth  is  not  that  sort  of  an 
"  atrocious  crime  "  which  stands  in  need  of  any  palliation  or 
denial. 

Mr.  Eaines  was  born  at  Canandaigua,  Ontario  county, 
N.  Y.,  on  the  13th  of  August,  1842.  He  is  of  English 
descent  on  his  father's  side,  and  Scotch  on  his  mother's.  His 
grandfather,  JoHiq"  Raines,  a  sturdy  Englishman,  was  born 
in  1784.  At  the  early  age  of  twenty-eight  he  had  acquired  a 
large  fortune  in  mercantile  pursuits,  and,  notwithstanding 
the  cares  of  business,  had  found  time  while  amassing  it  to 
fulfill  the  duties  of  the  sacred  office.  He  was  the  regularly 
installed  minister  of  a  Methodist  congregation,  and  had  inti- 
mate relations  with  the  celebrated  divine,  Robert  Hall,  and 
other  illustrious  contemporaries. 

"We  believe  the  historians  are  not  at  one,  as  yet,  as  to  the 
caicse  that  induced  the  return  of  Napoleon  from  his  island 
retreat  at  Elba,  but  very  many  men  in  England,  France  and 
elsewhere,  knew  too  well  the  effect  of  the  re-appearance  of  the 
Little  Corporal.  JoH:sr  Raii^es  was  one  of  these,  and  his 
financial  losses  were  so  heavy  as  to  induce  him  to  gather  up 
the  remnants  of  his  broken  fortune  and  try  to  better  his  con- 
dition in  America.  In  the  year  1821,  the  merchant-minister 
arrived  at  Philadelphia,  and  soon  after  commenced  the  busi- 
ness of  manufacturing  at  that  point.  The  usual  ups  and 
downs  marked  his  life  in  the  City  of  Brotherly  Love,  and 


Thomas  Raines.  41 

after  being  twice  burned  out,  and  declining  an  offer  of  part- 
nership from  the  since  celebrated  Thomas  Tasker,  he  aban- 
doned the  Keystone  for  the  Empire  State,  and  took  up  his 
residence  at  Canandaigua. 

The  father  of  the  Treasurer,  another  John  Raines,  was 
born  at  Hull,  in  the  East  Riding  of  Yorkshire,  England,  in 
the  year  1818.  While  yet  an  infant  he  was  brought  to  this 
country  by  his  i)arents,  and  here  he  has  resided  ever  since. 

After  leaving  school,  and  until  his  twenty-seventh  year,  he 
followed  farming  for  a  living.  He  then  abandoned  secular 
pursuits  and  entered  the  ministry.  For  many  years  he  was 
widely  known  in  "Western  New  York,  being  recognized  as 
standing  among  the  foremost  of  his  Methodist  brethren. 
Mrs.  Raines,  the  mother  of  the  subject  of  our  sketch,  was  a 
Miss  Mart  Remington.  Her  ancestors  came  from  New 
England,  but  she  herself  was  born  near  Canandaigua. 

The  leading  facts  in  the  life  of  the  Treasurer  are  about  as 
follows : 

After  receiving  the  usual  common  school  education,  and 
supplementing  it  with  a  good  deal  of  self-taught  instruction, 
he  closed  his  text-books  at  the  early  age  of  fourteen.  Those 
who  think  they  can  see  the  coming  oak  in  every  acorn,  will 
be  interested  in  knowing  that  the  future  financial  head  of 
the  State  left  behind  him,  at  the  common  school  from  which 
he  graduated,  a  reputation  for  unusual  proficiency  in  mathe- 
matics. Commencing  his  business  life  on  the  bottom  round 
of  the  long  ladder,  he  accepted  a  clerkship  in  a  store  at 
Lyons,  Wayne  county,  in  this  State,  at  an  annual  salary  of 
one  hundred  dollars.  His  industry,  talents  and  determina- 
tion soon  led  to  his  promotion,  and  at  the  age  of  sixteen  he 
had  charge  of  the  books  of  a  large  mercantile  establishment. 
A  little  later  we  find  him  book-keeper  in  the  Bank  of  Canan- 
daigua, in  which  institution  his  education  in  fiscal  matters 
fairly  commenced.  Keeping  the  books  of  the  bank  for  a  year, 
he  developed  so  much  capacity  as  a  banker  that  he  was  pro- 
moted to  be  acting  cashier. 
6 


42  Life  Sketches. 

At  the  age  of  twenty,  Mr.  Raines  had  attained  a  broad 
and  accurate  knowledge  of  the  important  and  intricate 
branch  of  business  to  which  he  had  resolved  to  devote  his 
future,  and,  in  connection  with  a  number  of  capitalists  of 
western  New  York,  he  then  proceeded  to  start  a  I^ational 
Bank,  one  of  the  first,  it  may  be  remarked,  ever  organized  in 
the  country.  This  bank  was  located  at  Geneva,  Ontario 
county,  and,  under  the  management  of  Mr.  Raines,  enjoyed 
a  high  degree  of  prosperity. 

In  1867  he  removed  to  Rochester,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty- 
four,  became  financial  officer  of  the  Farmers  and  Meclianics' 
National  Bank  of  Rochester.  In  this  position,  as  in  his  pre- 
ceding ones,  he  has  been  eminently  successful,  and  has  built 
up  a  large  business. 

On  the  29th  of  December,  1864,  Mr.  Raines  was  married 
to  CiiARRiE,  daughter  of  Hon.  Joseph  Halstead,  of 
Columbia  county.  She  died  on  the  5th  of  March,  1870,  to 
the  poignant  grief  of  a  large  circle  of  friends.  A  lady  of  high 
intellectual  endowment,  and  the  possessor  of  varied  accom- 
plishments, she  was  in  very  deed  and  truth  a  helpmeet  for  her 
husband.  Whatever  of  prosperity  may  haA^e  attended  the 
later  years  of  his  life,  he  attributes,  for  the  major  part,  to  her 
wise  counsels,  and  her  unfailing  sympathy  in  all  his  under- 
takings. 

At  the  Republican  State  Convention,  which  met  at 
Rochester,  in  September,  1871,  Mr.  Raines  was  nominated 
by  acclamation  for  the  position  which  he  now  holds.  In  the 
canvass  that  followed,  he  made  a  most  gallant  fight,  and 
gained  the  day  by  an  overwhelming  majority.  The  estimation 
in  which  he  is  held  by  his  fellow- citizens  is  shown  in  the  fact 
of  his  running  nearly  a  thousand  ahead  of  the  State  ticket  in 
Rochester.  When  a  prophet  (or  a  banker)  comes  no  nearer 
than  that  from  "  being  without  honor  in  his  own  country,'' 
the  conclusion  is  irresistible  that  his  neighbors  have  entire 
confidence  in  the  prophet  (or  banker).    Mr.  Raines'  entire 


Thomas  Raines.  43 

majority  in  the  State  was  21,784;  he  polled  the  highest  vote 
on  the  ticket. 

Mr.  Raines  was  for  many  years  an  active  and  ardent  Re- 
publican. Sympathizing,  however,  with  the  Liberal  move- 
ment, he  attended  the  Cincinnati  Convention  and  helped 
place  Horace  Greeley  in  nomination  for  the  Presidency. 
His  position  and  ability  received  suitable  recognition  from 
the  Convention,  he  being  chosen  one  of  its  Vice-Presidents. 
Since  that  time  Mr.  Raines  has  acted  with  the  Liberals, 
and  is  recognized  as  one  of  the  leaders  of  his  party  in  this 
State.  At  the  Democratic  Convention,  called  to  nominate  a 
State  ticket,  at  Utica,  in  September  last,  Mr.  Raines  was 
named  by  acclamation  for  the  office  which  he  now  holds, 
by  virtue  of  a  re-election.  The  mutations  of  our  politics  is 
thus  strikingly  illustrated  —  a  renomination  and  election  at 
the  hands  of  Democrats  and  Liberals  following  directly  after 
a  nomination  and  election  at  the  hands  of  Republicans! 
Although  he  was  embarrassed  in  his  canvass  by  the  defalca- 
tion of  one  of  his  clerks,  which  came  to  light  soon  after 
his  name  was  hoisted,  yet,  nevertheless,  he  led  all  the 
nominees  on  the  State  ticket,  save  the  State  Engineer,  and 
secured  his  election  by  the  handsome  majority  of  12,G30. 

Since  his  induction  into  the  office  which  he  now  holds, 
Mr.  Raines  has  justified  the  high  expectations  of  his  friends, 
demonstrating  both  his  capacity  and  disposition  to  wisely 
administer  the  finances  of  the  State. 

Entering  office  without  particular  political  experience,  but 
with  the  training  and  aptitude  of  a  successful  banker,  he  at 
once  displayed  quick  apprehensions,  a  ready  grasp  of  public 
questions,  a  clear  insight  into  State  polity  and  a  broad  under- 
standing, especially  of  its  fiscal  interests  and  public  works. 
He  initiated  in  the  Canal  Board,  at  an  early  day,  a  direct 
movement  for  the  repeal  of  the  repair  contracts.  Mr.  Raines 
undertook  the  task  of  pushing  it  into  operation,  and  brought 
the  question  to  a  direct  issue  by  a  series  of  resolutions,  pre- 
sented in  the  board  shortly  after  his  entrance  into  office.   He 


44  Life  Sketches. 

was  the  prime  mover  in  the  adoption  of  the  low-toll  sheet  of 
1872  and  1873,  having  prepared  the  schedule  and  offered  it  in 
the  Canal  Board.  He  gave  effect  to  the  general  desire  for 
cheap  transportation,  sharing  the  common  fear  of  the  diver- 
sion of  commerce  from  New  York.  It  was  mainly  through  his 
efforts  that  the  State  resumed  specie  payments  on  its  bonds. 
Holding  that  the  good  faith  of  the  State  required  it  to  meet 
these  obligations  in  coin,  he  took  an  honorable  share  in  se- 
curing the  adoption  of  a  policy  so  conducive  to  public  credit. 
The  estimation  in  which  Mr.  Eaines  was  held  by  those  who 
differed  with  him  politically,  is  shown  in  the  tribute  paid  him 
by  the  Democrat  and  Chronicle,  the  leading  Eepublican  paper 
of  Eochester,  at  a  time  last  fall  when  the  danger  of  his  be- 
coming the  nominee  of  the  Democracy  was  among  the  possi- 
bilities. The  following  is  an  extract  from  the  Democrat  arid 
Chronicle,  September  15,  1873 : 

"  He  made,  early  in  his  career,"  an  earnest  effort  to  se- 
ciire  a  thorough  investigation  of  the  whole  management  of 
canal  affairs.  Believing,  from  personal  observation,  and  the 
inspection  of  the  records  of  his  department,  that  the  popular 
suspicions  as  to  its  extravagance  and  corruption  were  not  un- 
founded, he  called  upon  the  Legislature  for  a  complete 
examination.  His  speeches  delivered  before  the  Canal  Com- 
mittee of  the  Assembly,  last  winter,  on  the  necessity  of  re- 
trenchment in  canal  expenditures,  created  universal  interest. 
Mr.  Eaines  carried  his  point  in  reducing  the  appropriations 
to  the  extent  of  a  million  dollars,  a  curtailment  due  almost 
entirely  to  his  individual  efforts.  In  the  Canal  Board  he  has 
steadily  opposed  all  fraudulent  claims,  extravagant  allowances 
and  profligate  jobs,  exercising  ceaseless  vigilance  in  detecting 
and  baffling  every  species  of  dishonesty  which  is  continually 
endeavoring  to  obtain  a  foothold  in  this  department  of  the 
public  works." 

By  virtue  of  his  office,  Mr.  Eain"Es  is  a  Commissioner  of  the 
Land  Office  and  of  the  Canal  Fund,  a  member  of  the  Board 
of  State  Canvassers,  and,  as  we  have  already  indicated,  of  the 
Canal  Board. 


JSvLVANus  H.  Sweet.  45 


SYLYANUS  H.  SWEET, 

STATE    ElfGINEER    AND    SURVEYOR. 

Sylvanus  H.  Sweet,  State  Engineer  and  Surveyor,  is  a 
native  of  Oswego  county.  New  York,  and  is  a  son  of  the  late 
Garret  C.  Sweet,  of  Phoenix,  Oswego  county.  He  com- 
menced his  professional  career  under  0.  W.  CHiLDS,Esq., 
in  the  year  1847.  In  1850  and  1851,  he  was  engaged  under 
Mr.  Childs  in  making  a  survey  for  a  Ship  Canal  across  the 
Isthmus  of  Nicaragua,  in  Central  America,  and  opening  of 
the  Nicaragua  Transit  Route,  for  California  traflBc  and  travel, 
under  Commodore  Vanderbilt. 

Upon  his  return,  he  received  an  appointment  upon  the 
New  York  State  canals,  in  1852,  where,  owing  to  great  dili- 
gence and  application,  he  remained  undisturbed  through  all 
the  political  changes  of  the  next  eight  years,  and  in  1860, 
through  the  earnest  application  and  recommendation  of 
Hon.  Van  R.  Richmond,  the  then  State  Engineer  and 
Surveyor,  was  appointed  by  a  Republican  Canal  Board 
Resident  Engineer  at  Syracuse.  While  holding  this  position, 
he  compiled  and  perfected  a  complete  set  of  plans  of  the 
most  important  canal  structures,  which  were  published  in 
connection  with  the  State  Engineer's  report  for  1860. 

Upon  his  removal,  Mr.  Richmond  appointed  him  principal 
assistant,  under  0.  W.  Childs,  on  the  "  New  York  Harbor  En- 
croachment Survey.  '*  By  reason  of  his  skill  and  characteristic 
energy,  Mr.  Sweet  had  the  honor  of  being  the  first  to  estab- 
lish, successfully,  the  original  high  and  low  water  lines 
around  Manhattan  Island  and  the  shores  of  Brooklyn,  from 
which  the  first  map  was  published  in  1861,  showing  these  lines. 

Upon  the  election  of  William  B.  Taylor  as  State 
Engineer,  in  1862,  he  was  tendered  and  accepted  the  position 
of  Deputy  State  Engineer.  During  his  term  as  Deputy, 
Mr.  Sweet  devoted  his  leisure  hours  to  writing  a  complete 
*'  History  of  the  New  York  Canals,"  a  work  embracing  384 


46  Life  Sketches. 

pages ;  also  a  history  of  the  Hudson  Kiver  Improvements, 
some  thirty  or  forty  pages  iu  length,  and  a  scientific  report 
of  great  practical  value  on  coal.  This  last  work,  contained 
in  about  100  pages,  set  forth  the  cost  of  coal  over  different 
routes  to  market.  It  was  furnished,  upon  call,  to  the  Senate 
during  the  session  of  18G4,  and  was  read  with  interest  by 
coal  consumers  geuerally,  since  it  contained  all  the  informa- 
tion necessary  to  a  full  and  clear  understanding  of  the 
actual  cost  of  the  commodity  treated  of  in  market. 

During  the  war  (1865),  he  was  the  nominee  of  the  Demo- 
cratic party  for  the  same  position  he  now  holds,  and  although 
running  ahead  of  the  ticket  about  4,000,  was  defeated  with 
his  party  when  all  placed  upon  the  ticket  —  made  up  of 
JoHK  Va:n-  BuREiT,  Gen.  H.  W.  Slocum,  Lucius  Eobinsok, 
etc. —  were  vanquished  by  the  war  cry. 

In  1865-6,  Mr.  Sweet  had  charge  of  surveys,  plans  and 
estimates  for  a  canal  across  the  State  of  Maryland,  from 
Washington  to  Annapolis,  thence  along  the  shore  of  Chesa- 
peake to  Baltimore,  thereby  saving  in  distance  between  these 
points  190  miles,  and  the  danger  of  navigating  the  bay  with 
small  crafts,  and  perfecting  an  inland  canal  navigation  from 
Albany  or  New  York  to  Washington,  upon  a  scale  of  navi- 
gation equal  to  the  Delaware  &  Earitan. 

Upon  the  election  of  Hon.  Van-  E.  Eichmon^d  for  State 
Engineer  and  Surveyor,  in  1868,  Mr.  Sweet  was  tendered 
and  accepted  the  position  of  Deputy,  which  he  held  during 
the  two  terms  of  Mr.  Eichmoi^d's  administration,  serving 
also  as  Engineer  and  Inspector  of  the  New  Capitol,  which 
latter  position  he  retained  after  the  defeat  of  his  party  in 
the  fall  of  1871. 

Mr.  Sweet  received  the  nomination  from  the  Democratic 
party  at  a  convention  held  at  XJtica,  in  the  fall  of  1873,  for 
State  Engineer  and  Surveyor.  He  was  also  nominated  at 
the  Liberal  Convention  held  at  Elmira  the  same  fall,  and 
was  elected  to  that  office,  receiving  a  majority  some  4,000 
larger  than  any  of  his  associates  on  the  ticket. 


SENATORS. 


JAMES  W.  BOOTH. 


The  fifth  Senatorial  district  consists  of  the  eighth,  ninth, 
fifteenth  and  sixteenth  wards  of  the  city  of  New  York.  It 
is  represented  in  the  present  Senate  by  James  W.  Booth 
who  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York,  on  the  ninth  of 
September,  1822.  After  receiving  a  good  education  in 
various  private  schools  in  that  city,  he  turned  his  attention 
to  mercantile  pursuits  with  marked  success.  As  a  dyer 
and  manufacturer  of  cotton  goods  he  was  long  known  to  the 
world  of  trade  no  less  for  his  business  sagacity  than  for  his 
integrity.  At  present  Mr.  Booth  is  not  actively  engaged  in 
business,  being  one  of  those  fortunate  mortals  to  whom 
effort  has  brought  the  wherewithal  on  which  to  complacently 
retire  from  the  noisy  marts  of  trade. 

In  politics  Mr.  Booth  was  for  many  years  a  Whig,  but 
since  the  formation  of  the  Republican  party  he  has  been  an 
ardent  supporter  of  that  organization.  Until  nominated  for 
the  Senate  he  had  never  been  prevailed  upon  to  accept  a 
political  office,  although  for  many  years  he  has  been  devoted, 
with  his  time  and  his  means,  to  the  support  of  honesty  and 
efficiency  in  public  affairs.  In  him  the  cause  of  education 
has  ever  had  a  warm  friend,  and  to  it  he  has  given  a  long 
term  of  service.  From  1850  until  1870  he  was  trustee  of 
the  Common  Schools  of  the  Ninth  ward  of  New  York.  On 
the  organization  of  the  Fire  Department,  under  its  present 
system,  he  was  made  one  of  the  Commissioners,  a  position 
which  he  held  for  three  months  and  then  resigned.    In  1873, 


48  Life  Sketches. 

Avlien  the  Legislature  was  called  upon  to  name  a  Regent  of 
the  University  in  place  of  Oswald  Ottej^dorfer,  Mr. 
Booth  received  the  unanimous  nomination  of  the  Republi- 
cans and  was  duly  elected.  In  the  election  which  resulted 
in  placing  him  in  his  present  position  of  Senator  he  ran 
against  Vijtcei^t  0.  Kikg  and  received  a  majority  of  2,437. 
Mr.  Booth  is  Chairman  of  the  Committees  on  Literature 
and  Public  Health,  and  is  also  a  member  of  the  Committees 
on  Cities,  and  Commerce  and  Navigation. 


GEOKGE  B.  BEADLE r 


George  B.  Bradley,  who  now  represents  the  Steuben, 
Chemung  and  Schuyler  district,  was  a  candidate  for  the 
position  which  he  now  holds  two  years  ago.  At  that  time 
he  made  a  gallant,  but  an  unsuccessful  fight.  Although  the 
Republican  majority  in  that  district  had  been  counted  by  the 
thousands,  he  was  beaten  by  a  scratch,  his  opponent  being 
chosen  by  a  majority  of  seven. 

Senator  Bradley  was  born  in  the  town  of  Greene,  county 
of  Chenango,  on  the  fifth  day  of  February,  1825,  and  conse- 
quently he  is  now  in  the  full  maturity  of  his  powers.  His 
father,  Orlo  F.  Bradley,  now  dead,  came  from  Litchfield 
county,  Connecticut.  The  Senator  spent  the  early  years  of 
his  life  on  a  farm  which  his  father  had  purchased  in  Chenango 
county,  after  leaving  New  England.  Receiving  a  good  com- 
mon school  and  academic,  education,  he  turned  his  attention 
to  law,  and  after  pursuing  the  usual  preparatory  studies,  was 
admitted  to  practice.  For  the  last  twenty-five  years  he  has 
occupied  a  prominent  position  at  the  bar  of  this  State,  being 
recognized  in  the  profession  as  one  of  the  ablest  lawyers  of 
the  southern  tier. 

The  Senator  was  married  in  July,  1850,  to  Miss  Lattimer, 
of  Steuben  county. 


George  B,  Bradley,  49 

He  and  Judge  Rumsey  of  the  Supreme  Court  were  the 
representatives  of  their  respective  parties  from  the  southern 
counties  of  their  judicial  district  in  the  late  Constitutional 
Commission.  The  Judge  resigned  when  appointed  to  fill  a 
vacancy,  but  Mr.  Bradley  served,  and  no  man  in  the  Com- 
mission made  a  more  favorable  impression  upon  all  those 
familiar  with  the  work  of  that  body. 

Mr.  Bradley  was  placed  in  nomination  by  the  Democrats 
and  Liberal  Republicans.  It  was  a  significant  fact  that  his 
Republican  opponent  of  two  years  ago,  Hon.  Gabriel  T. 
Harrower,  was  one  of  his  most  ardent  supporters  through- 
out the  canvass.  He  was  triumphantly  elected,  carrying  every 
county  in  the  district,  by  a  majority  of  2,859  over  Eaton  N. 
Frisbie. 

Mr.  Bradley  is  an  easy,  effective  speaker,  and  takes  a 
prominent  part  in  all  the  debates  of  moment  He  signalized 
his  entrance  into  the  Senate  by  his  minority  report  from  the 
Committee  on  Privileges  and  Elections,  on  the  Abbott-Mad- 
den contested  election  case.  He  favored  the  retention  of  Ab- 
bott as  sitting-member  until  all  the  evidence  in  the  case  had 
been  offered  and  reported  on  by  the  committee.  His  speech  in 
support  of  his  report  was  the  most  able  and  eloquent  presen- 
tation of  Mr.  Abbott's  claims  that  was  addressed  to  the 
Senate. 

Mr.  Bradley  is  a  member  of  the  Committees  on  Judiciary, 
State  Prisons,  and  Privileges  and  Elections. 


i50  Life  Sketches. 


JOHN  W.  COE. 


The  Second  Senatorial  district  of  the  State  of  New  York 
consists  of  the  first,  second,  third,  fourth,  fifth,  seventh, 
eleventh^  thirteenth,  fifteenth,  nineteenth  and  twentieth 
wards  of  the  city  of  Brooklyn.     The  Senator  is  John"  W. 

COE. 

JoHTsr  W.  OoE  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York,  on  the 
26th  of  May,  1839.  He  received  a  good  common  school 
education,  and  tJien  turned  his  attention  to  mercantile  pur- 
suits. At  the  present  time  he  is  engaged  in  business  as  a 
manufacturer.    He  was  married  in  1862. 

The  Senator  has  always  taken  a  deep  interest  in  politics, 
and  has  held  some  prominent  public  positions.  He  was  for 
many  years  an  active  Republican,  and,  in  1872,  embraced  the 
Cincinnati  movement,  so  called.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the 
convention  that  laid  down  the  Liberal  platform  and  nom- 
inated Horace  Greeley  for  the  Presidency.  In  his  own 
county  of  Kings,  he  has  long  enjoyed  a  high  degree  of  polit- 
ical prosperity.  In  1870  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
Board  of  Supervisors,  and  proved  such  a  popular  representa- 
tive, that,  in  1872,  the  Liberal  Republicans  returned  him  to 
the  Board  from  a  strong  Republican  district.  His  second 
term  as  Supervisor  was  signalized  by  a  most  stubborn  con- 
test for  the  Chairmanship  of  the  Board.  After  a  campaign, 
lasting  five  months,  Mr.  Coe  was  elected  to  that  ofiice. 

In  the  fall  of  1873,  the  Liberal  Republicans  placed  him  in 
nomination  for  Senator.  The  action  of  the  convention  was 
indorsed  by  the  Democracy,  and  the  result  was  his  election 
over  Hon.  Johi^  C.  Perry,  who  was  chosen  to  the  last  Senate 
by  a  majority  of  1,968.     Mr.  Coe's  majority  was  1,414. 

Mr.  Coe's  political  position  in  the  Senate  is  a  peculiarly 


Dan  H.  Cole.  51 

"  independent"  one.  He  was  first  nominated,  as  we  have 
said,  by  a  distinctively  Liberal  Republican  convention,  and 
afterward  was  indorsed  by  the  Democrats.  He  made  no 
pledges  whatever  to  the  latter,  and,  in  refusing  to  do  so,  told 
tliem  that  they  had  simply  to  choose  between  him  and  his 
Republican  opponent.  As  a  consequence,  party  ties  sit  very 
loosely  upon  him,  and  he  is  left  free  to  follow  the  promptings 
of  an  unbiased  judgment  in  considering  all  questions  brought 
before  the  Senate.  He  came  to  the  Legislature  with  the 
reputation  of  having  materially  assisted  in  unearthing  the 
labyrinth  of  frauds  in  the  jail  of  Kings  county,  through 
wliich  the  public  were  swindled  out  of  thousands  of  dollars 
annually.  He  signalized  his  entrance  into  the  Senate  'by 
casting  his  vote  in  favor  of  awarding  tlie  contested  seat  of  the 
tenth  district  to  Mr.  Madden.  His  speech,  in  explanation 
of  his  action,  proved  him  to  be  a  clear  and  cogent  speaker. 

Senator  CoE  is  a  member  of  the  Committees  on  Cities  and 
Public  Health. 


DAN  H.  COLE. 


The  Twenty-ninth  Senatorial  district  of  the  State  of  New 
York  consists  of  the  counties  of  Genesee,  Niagara  and 
Orleans.  The  Senator  is  Dan  H.  Cole,  of  Albion,  Orleans 
county. 

Senator  Cole  was  born  at  Auburn,  Cayuga  county,  in  the 
year  1814.  He  is  descended  from  New  England  stock,  both 
of  his  parents  being  natives  of  Sharon,  Conn.,  where  his 
father  followed  the  profession  of  medicine  for  many  years. 
After  receiving  a  good  substantial  education  in  the  common 
school  and  academy,  he  applied  himself  to  the  study  of  law. 
He  was  for  some  time  a  student  in  the  office  of  his  brother, 
Hon.  A.  Hyde  Cole,  who,  it  is  interesting  to  note,  occupied 
a  seat  in  the  Senate  in  1848-9.  After  being  admitted  to  the 
bar,  the  Senator  entered  upon  the  practice  of  his  profession 


62  Life  Sketches, 

at  Albion.  Since  1850,  other  duties  occupying  his  attention, 
he  has  not  been  actively  engaged  at  the  law.  Of  late  years 
he  has  been  prominently  engaged  in  seyeral  important 
business  enterprises,  among  others  with  the  Curtis  Agricul- 
tural Works,  of  which  he  is  President. 

The  Senator  has  had  considerable  experience  of  a  varied 
nature  in  public  life.  In  1840  he  was  appointed  by  Gov. 
Seward  Surrogate  of  his  county,  and  held  the  office  four  years. 
In  the  fall  of  1846,  he  was  elected  to  the  responsible  and 
honorable  position  of  County  Clerk,  and  remained  as  such 
two  terms,  six  years.  In  1855,  on  the  death  of  Judge  H.  R. 
Curtis,  he  was  appointed  County  Judge  and  Surrogate,  and 
in  the  fall  of  the  same  year  was  nominated  and  elected  a 
member  of  Assembly  from  Orleans  county.  As  a  member 
of  the  lower  House  of  1856,  he  participated  in  the  long  and 
exciting  contest  for  Speaker,  which  ended,  on  the  forty-ninth 
ballot,  in  the  election  of  Orville  Robin^son-.  In  all  these 
positions,  Mr.  Cole  served  the  people  to  their  entire  satisfac- 
tion, and  established  an  enviable  reputation  for  capacity  and 
integrity. 

The  Senator  is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  a  member 
of  the  Senate.  He  was  first  elected  to  that  body  in  1863, 
and,  during  1864-65,  held  the  same  important  Chairmanship 
which  he  now  holds,  of  Canals.  He  was  also  Chairman  of 
the  Canal  Committee  when  in  the  Assembly,  and  thus  brings 
to  bear  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties  during  the  present 
session  a  perfect  familiarity  with  the  duties  of  his  responsible 
position.  He  has  also  figured  prominently,  this  session,  as 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Privileges  and  Elections. 
There  being  no  less  than  three  contested  election  cases  in  the 
present  Senate,  that  committee  has  its  hands  full.  Senator 
Cole  presented  the  majority  report  in  the  Abbott-Maddek 
case,  which  excited  so  much  interest  all  over  the  State,  and 
which  the  Senate,  after  an  exciting  debate,  adopted. 

Senator  Cole  was  married,  in  1836,  to  Frances  M, 
Elliott. 


Henry  C.  Connelly,  63 


HENRY  C.   CONNELLY. 


The  Fourteenth  Senatorial  district  consists  of  the  counties 
of  Greene  and  Ulster.  The  Senator  is  Henry  C.  Con- 
nelly. 

Senator  Connelly  was  born  at  Shandaken,  Ulster  county, 
on  the  25th  of  September,  1832,  consequently  he  is  now  in 
the  full  maturity  of  his  powers.  Shortly  after  his  birth  the 
family  removed  to  Esopus,  in  the  same  county,  which  has 
remained  the  Senator's  home  ever  since.  His  father  and  his 
father's  father  were  both  born  in  the  town  of  Olive,  Ulster 
county.  His  grandfather  was  a  physician  and  Baptist  min- 
ister, and  his  father  a  farmer.  The  latter  is  still  living  at  the 
age  of  66. 

The  Senator's  education  was  received,  for  the  most  part,  at 
the  common  schools  of  his  county.  A  portion  of  one  year 
he  attended  the  Charlottcville  Seminary  at  Schoharie.  At 
the  early  age  of  15  he  began  to  learn  the  great  lesson  of  self- 
dependence,  and  we  find  him  teaching  the  young  ideas  to 
fihoot  He  followed  teaching  for  three  months,  and  then 
went  to  clerking  it  at  Rondout.  Here  he  remained  four  years, 
and  then  removed  to  Eddyville,  Cattaraugus  county,  where 
he  spent  some  time  in  mercantile  pursuits.  In  1856  he 
embarked  in  business  on  his  own  account,  and  to-day  finds 
him  in  the  same  place  in  which  he  commenced,  a  successful 
and  respected  merchant.  The  firm  of  Connelly  &  Shafer 
is  widely  known  as  manufacturers  of  Rosendale  cement. 

In  politics,  the  Senator,  although  brought  up  under  Free 
Soil  Democrat  influences,  has  always  been  a  Republican. 
For  four  successive  years  his  friends  and  neighbors  showed 
their  regard  for  him  as  a  man  of  capacity  and  integrity  by 
electing  him  to  represent  his  town  in  the  Board  of  Super- 
visors of  Ulster  county.     He  cares  very  little  for  public  life. 


54  Life  Sketches. 

and  never  asked  for  an  office  in  his  life.  Whenever  he  has 
consented  to  represent  the  people  the  office  has  sought  him, 
not  he  the  office. 

Thoroughly  known  throughout  the  Fourteenth  district, 
and  everywhere,  as  a  man  fitted,  by  his  sound  business  capa- 
city and  inflexible  integrity,  to  make  a  useful  legislator,  it 
was  not  strange  that  his  party  friends  placed  him  in  nomina- 
tion for  Senator.  The  district  had  been  counted  unfailingly 
Democratic,  and  yet,  although  Greene  county  went  against 
Mr.  Connelly  543,  his  own  county  of  Ulster  gave  him  the 
handsome  majority  of  809,  thus  securing  his  election  by  26G 
over  Jacob  H.  Meech.  In  1871  a  Democratic  Senator  was 
elected  by  828  majority. 

Senator  Connelly  is  Chairman  of  two  Committees,  Erec- 
tion and  Division  of  Towns  and  Counties  and  Charitable 
and  Religious  Societies ;  he  is  also  a  member  of  Roads  and 
Bridges  and  Printing. 

The  Senator  has  been  twice  married.  He  was  married  to 
his  present  wife,  a  daughter  of  Levi  Manny,  of  West  Path, 
Ulster  county,  in  1858.  He  has  been  connected  with  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  Church  since  1852. 


JESSE  C.  DAYTON. 


Jesse  C.  Dayton,  of  Watervliet,  represents  the  Thirteenth 
Senatorial  district,  which  consists  of  the  county  of  Albany. 

The  Senator's  ancestors  were  English,  and  as  far  back  as 
1600,  certain  of  them  emigrated  from  England  and  settled 
near  what  is  now  East  Hampton,  Long  Island,  where  his 
father  was  born.  His  grandfather  removed  to  Rensselaer- 
ville  in  1800. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  at  Westerlo,  Albany 
county,  in  the  year  1825.   His  life  has  been  spent  in  Westerlo, 


Jesse  C.  Dayton,  65 

Knowersville,  Watervliet  and  New  York  city.  After  receiving 
a  good  substantial  education,  he  turned  his  attention  to  mer- 
cantile pursuits,  and  in  1844,  being  then  in  his  nineteenth 
year,  went  to  New  York  as  a  clerk.  Developing  good  busi- 
ness qualities,  it  was  not  long  before  he  passed  from  the 
position  of  clerk  to  the  head  of  a  flourishing  house  of  his  own. 
He  is  still  actively  engaged  in  business  in  the  metropolis,  but 
has  his  home  away  from  its  rush  and  roar  in  tranquil  Water- 
vliet, where  he  has  an  extensive  farm. 

The  Senator  takes  a  lively  interest  in  politics,  and  has 
always  been  identified  with  the  Democratic  party.  Last 
spring  his  friends  and  neighbors  brouglit  him  forward  as  a 
candidate  for  Supervisor.  He  accepted  the  nomination  and 
was  elected  by  a  majority  of  five  hundred,  in  a  town  which 
had  been  previously  carried  by  the  Republicans.  In  com- 
menting upon  his  nomination  for  Senator,  the  AXhuny  Argus 
bore  witness  to  the  faithfulness  and  vigilance  with  which  he 
had  represented  his  constituents  in  the  Board  of  Supervisors. 
It  added,  "taking  his  election  for  granted,  he  will  be  a  credit 
to  Albany  upon  the  floor  of  the  Senate,  and  a  valuable  servant 
in  committees  and  all  routine  legislation.  And  his  character 
is  as  exemplary  as  his  qualifications  for  the  position  of 
Senator  are  superior." 

The  Troy  Press,  a  newspaper  published  outside  of  the  Four- 
teenth district,  noticed  the  nomination  of  Mr.  Dayton  for 
Senator,  as  follows  :  "  The  Democracy  of  Albany  county  have 
nominated  Jesse  C.  Dayton,  of  Watervliet,  for  Senator.  Mr. 
Dayton  is  not  an  office-seeker,  nor  is  he  a  man  that  office  can 
corrupt.  He  last  spring  accepted  the  nomination  for  Super- 
visor in  a  Radical  district,  and  illustrated  his  popularity  by 
carrying  his  election  with  nearly  five  hundred  majority.  In 
the  Board  he  has  been  one  of  the  most  vigilant  members, 
watching  the  interests  of  the  people  with  constant  care. 
Being  a  man  of  wealth,  he  has  personal  interests  that  are 
opposed  to  extravagant  legislation,  and  that  is  one  of  the 
strongest  guards  that  can  be  put  upon  a  legislator.    As  there 


56  Life  l^ ketches. 

is  no  doubt  of  Mr.  Dayton^s  election,  we  congratulate  our 
sister  county  upon  the  wise  action  of  its  convention." 

Mr.  Dayton  was  nominated  for  the  honorable  position 
which  he  now  holds  by  acclamation,  and  elicited  a  hearty 
support.  He  was  elected  over  Charles  P.  Easton",  Repub- 
lican, by  a  majority  of  2,152.  In  1871,  Charles  H.  Adams, 
Eepublican,  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  656,  leading  the 
State  ticket  by  1,911. 

Mr.  Dayton"  was  assigned,  by  the  President  of  the  Senate, 
to  the  following  committees  :  Printing,  Public  Buildings, 
and  Indian  Affairs.  He  is  a  man  of  quiet  manner  and  modest 
bearing.  Although  not  a  talking  member,  as  a  general  rule, 
he  is  always  ready  to  take  the  floor  when  the  success  of  any 
measures  which  he  has  in  charge  seems  to  require  it 


WELLS  S.  DICKINSOK 


The  seventeenth  Senatorial  district,  comprising  the  counties 
of  Franklin  and  St.  Lawrence,  is  represented  by  Wells  S. 
Dickinson",  of  Franklin.  He  comes  from  a  section  of  the 
Empire  State  which  has  always  been  in  the  van  of  liberal 
and  progressive  ideas,  a  section  proud  of  its  Preston  King, 
its  Silas  Wright,  and  which  has  produced  many  sons  who 
have  been  potent  in  shaping  the  policy  of  State  and  nation. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  at  Bangor,  Franklin 
county,  where  he  still  resides,  in  the  year  1827,  and  is  of  gen- 
uine American  descent.  After  receiving  the  rudiments  of 
his  education  at  a  common  school,  he  entered  the  Franklin 
academy  in  his  native  county,  where  he  remained  two  years. 
He  then,  in  the  year  1846,  laid  aside  his  books,  and  engaged 
in  mercantile  pursuits  with  his  father,  whom  he  joined  as 
partner  in  1850.  In  1851  he  took  to  himself  a  wife,  marry- 
ing Miss  Thusa  Fish.    In  1853  he  bought  out  his  father's 


Wells  S.  Dickinson.  57 

interest  in  the  business  and  associated  Mr.  A.  0.  Patterson 
with  himself.  The  copartnership  thus  formed  continued 
until  the  year  1865,  when  he  also  admitted  Mr.  Charles 
Whitney  into  the  firm,  and  carried  on  business  under  the 
name  of  Patterson,  Whitney  &  Co.  In  1857,  Mr.  Whit- 
ney went  out  of  the  concern  and  Mr.  Dickinson's  brother 
took  his  place.  During  all  this  time,  however,  Mr.  Dickin- 
son had  devoted  himself  chiefly  to  his  private  and  individual 
business,  the  manufacture  of  potato  starch  and  speculation 
in  starch,  hops,  etc.  In  addition  to  the  pursuits  thus 
indicated,  Mr.  Dickinson  ran  for  some  years  extensive 
grist  and  saw  mills,  of  which  he  was  the  owner,  and  had 
business  interests  at  Red  Wing,  Minnesota,  as  member  of 
the  firm  of  Smith,  Meigs  &  Co. 

Thus  much  for  the  Senator's  business  history,  and  now  a 
glance  at  his  public  and  political  life.  In  politics  he  was 
formerly  a  Whig,  but  he  now  is  and  has  been  for  years  an 
active  and  ardent  Republican.  His  personal  popularity  at 
home  is  shown  in  the  fact  that  for  three  successive  years, 
1857-8-9,  he  was  elected  Supervisor  of  his  native  town.  In 
1859  the  Legislature  of  New  York  appointed  him  one  of  the 
Commissioners  to  whom  was  intrusted  the  settlement  of  the 
claim  and  damages  arising  on  the  contract  between  the 
State  and  J.  D.  Kingsland  relative  to  convict  labor. 

Senator  Dickinson  began  his  legislative  career  some 
years  ago.  In  18C0  he  represented  the  county  of  Frani<lin 
in  the  Assembly  in  a  manner  at  once  creditable  to  himself 
and  satisfactory  to  his  constituents.  He  was  a  member  of 
one  of  the  most  important  committees  in  the  House,  that  on 
Railroads.  In  1864  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  memorable  Re- 
publican National  Convention  which  met  at  Baltimore  and 
renominated  Abraham  Lincoln  for  the  Presidency. 

Senator  Dickinson  has  already  had  one  term's  experience 
in  the  Senate.  In  the  fall  of  1871  he  was  first  nominated 
for  the  office,  going  into  the  convention  as  the  unanimous 
choice  of  Franklin  county,  and  proving  entirely  acceptable 


68  Life  Sketches, 

to  the  St.  Lawrence  delegates.  Two  years  previous,  when 
his  name  had  been  presented  by  his  connty,  the  convention 
paid  him  the  marked  compliment  of  passing  a  resolution 
recognizing  him  as  "  an  upright  and  patriotic  citizen,  a 
reliable  and  active  Eepublican,  and  one  whom  the  people  of 
the  seventeenth  district  hold  in  high  respect."  He  entered 
actively  into  the  campaign  and  was  elected  by  the  handsome 
majority  of  6,925.  He  was  chairman  of  the  Committee 
on  Villages  and  Indian  affairs,  and  a  member  of  the  Com- 
niittees  on  Claims,  Roads  and  Bridges  and  State  Prisons. 

Mr.  Dickinson  made  so  good  a  record  in  1872  and  1873 
that  the  electors  of  the  seventeenth  district  decided  that  he 
well  deserved  to  be  returned.  The  New  York  Times,  in  an 
editorial  article  on  the  senatorial  nominations  of  last  fall, 
commended  Senator  Dickinson  as  a  gentleman  who  had 
had  much  experience  in  public  affairs  and  who  enjoyed  the 
confidence  and  respect  of  the  Republicans  among  whom  he 
lived.  He  was  re-elected  by  the  comfortable  majority  of  4,626 
over  his  Democratic  competitor. 

As  a  politician  Mr.  Dickinson  has  an  honorable  reputa- 
tion and  his  course  since  he  has  been  Senator  has  been  such 
as  to  entitle  him  to  thorough  confidence  and  respect  reposed 
in  him  by  his  constituents.  He  is  chairman  of  two  import- 
ant Committees  in  the  present  Senate,  Claims  and  Villages, 
and  is  a  member  of  Affairs  of  Cities  and  State  Prisons. 


Albert  0.  Dow.  69 


ALBERT  G.  DOW. 


The  Thirty-second  Senatorial  district,  consisting  of  the 
counties  of  Cattaraugus  and  Chautauqua,  is  represented  by 
Albert  G.  Dow,  of  Randolph,  Cattaraugus  county. 

The  salient  facts  of  his  history  are  as  follows :  Albert  G. 
Dow  was  born  in  Plainfield,  Cheshire  county,  New  Hamp- 
shire, on  the  16th  of  August,  1808.  His  father,  Solomon- 
Dow,  who  was  also  a  native  of  "  the  Granite  State,"  followed 
farming  for  a  living.  The  Senator  received  his  education  in 
the  "common"  and  "select"  schools,  so  called,  of  Vermont 
and  western  New  York,  and  after  leaving  his  books,  turned 
his  attention  to  mercantile  pursuits.  During  many  years 
he  was  engaged  in  the  hardware  business,  and  he  was 
rewarded  with  a  fair  degree  of  success ;  of  late  he  has  fol- 
lowed the  business  of  banking.  It  may  be  added,  just  here, 
that  he  has  been  twice  married,  and  has  been  a  member  of 
the  Congregational  church  for  over  thirty  years. 

The  Senator's  political  history  repeats  that  of  a  great 
many  of  his  contemporaries.  Until  the  breaking  out  of  the 
late  war  he  was  a  Democrat,  and  since  that  time  has  acted 
with  the  Republican  party.  He  has  had  considerable  experi- 
ence in  public  life,  and  evidently  is  held  in  high  regard  by 
those  who  know  him  best.  For  ten  years  he  represented  the 
town  of  Randolph  in  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Cattarau- 
gus county,  a  fact  that  speaks  emphatically  of  his  capacity 
for  affairs  and  his  reputation  for  integrity.  In  the  fall  of 
1862  he  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  from  the  Second  district 
of  Cattaraugus  county  as  a  Union  Democrat,  by  a  majority 
of  971  over  Lemuel  S.  Jenks.  He  made  such  a  satisfactory 
record  that  he  was  returned  the  next  year.  When  we  have 
added  that  the  Senator  filled  the  office  of  Justice  of  the 
Peace  for  twelve  years,  and  was,  from  1857  to  1863,  a  Com- 


60  Life  Sketches. 

niissioner  of  Excise,  it  will  be  seen  that  his  experience  of 
public  service  has  been  long  and  varied. 

The  Senator  was  elected  to  his  present  position  by  a 
majority  of  2,458  over  David  N.  Brown,  who  ran  on  the 
Democratic  ticket.  He  is  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on 
Grievances;  also  of  that  on  Indian  Affairs;  and  is  a  member 
of  the  committees  on  Public  Health  and  Manufactures. 

Senator  Dow  is  a  careful  and  sound  legislator,  always 
keenly  alive  to  the  material  and  moral  advancement  of  his 
own  locality  in  particular,  and  of  the  State  in  general. 
Making  no  pretensions  to  oratory,  he  nevertheless  has  the 
faculty  of  presenting  his  views  clearly  and  forcibly.  During 
the  present  session  his  speech  in  favor  of  the  appropriation 
to  academies  was  an  able  and  well-considered  effort  The 
Senator  held  that  it  would  be  in  accordance  with  the  dic- 
tates of  sound  policy  for  the  State  to  distribute  $125,000 
among  the  academies  of  the  State,  and  supported  his  posi- 
tion with  quite  an  array  of  facts  and  figures.  Whether  or 
no  he  is  right  or  wrong  is  an  open  question,  but  he  made  one 
thing  certain  beyond  a  cavil  —  his  interest  in  the  educational 
interests  of  the  State. 


JOHN  FOX. 


The  seat  of  the  Fourth  Senatorial  district,  which  remained 
vacant  during  the  whole  of  last  term  by  reason  of  the  non- 
appearance of  the  Senator  elect,  William  M.  Tweed,  is 
occupied  this  session  by  John"  Fox.  The  district  includes 
the  first,  second,  third,  fourth,  fifth,  sixth,  seventh,  thirteenth 
and  fourteenth  wards  of  New  York. 

Senator  John  Fox  was  born  at  Frederickton,  New  Bruns- 
wick. His  father,  Patrick  Fox,  and  his  mother,  Catharine 
Ahern,  were  both  natives  of  Ireland.     The  Senator  received 


John  Fox.  61 

a  common  school  education,  attending  school  number  twenty- 
nine,  New  York  city.  After  throwing  aside  his  books  he 
commenced,  while  yet  a  mere  boy,  the  great  battle  of  life, 
and  the  development  of  those  qualities  of  self-reliance  and 
energy  of  character  which  have  since  marked  his  career. 

Until  he  was  twenty- three  years  of  age  he  was  a  block  and 
pump  maker.  After  that,  thinking  that  he  knew  how  to 
keep  a  hotel,  he  tried  that  line  of  business  for  two  years. 
Since  abandoning  hotel  keeping  he  has  been  engaged  in  the 
real  estate  and  brokerage  business. 

John  Fox  is  a  name  that  has  long  been  familiar  in  the 
ears  of  those  at  all  acquainted  with  politics  in  the  city  of 
New  York.  Few  men  of  his  years  have  been  as  long  in  pub- 
lic life,  in  various  positions  of  honor  and  trust,  as  the  Senator. 
Always  an  uncompromising  Democrat,  he  has  been  frequently 
called  by  his  political  friends  to  represent  them.  In  1861  he 
was  elected  Alderman,  defeating  one  of  the  most  popular  men 
in  New  York,  the  late  widely  lamented  Henry  Smith, 
Police  Commissioner,  by  a  majority  of  800.  Tn  1864  he 
was  chosen  to  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  New  York 
county  by  the  overwhelming  majority  of  17,000.  In  1866  he 
defeated  Horace  Greeley  for  Congress,  and  in  1868  was 
re-elected  over  General  Lewis  by  a  majority  of  over  16,000. 
In  Congress  he  served  on  the  committees  on  Post-offices, 
Post  Roads  and  Invalid  Pensions.  The  Senator's  position  in 
the  State  councils  of  his  party  is  shown  in  the  fact  that  in 
1873  he  was  made  Chairman  of  the  Executive  Committee  of 
the  Democratic  State  Central  Committee.  He  has  long  been 
a  regular  attendant  at  the  State  and  National  Conventions 
of  the  Democracy.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  National  Con- 
Tentions  of  1868  and  1872,  and  has  been  present  in  similar 
capacity  at  every  State  Convention  held  during  the  past  ten 
years,  saving  only  the  year  1871,  when  the  Tweed  ring 
defeated  him  and  put  in  his  place  a  man  of  their  own. 

The  Senator  was  married  in  1861,  in  New  York  city,  to 
Miss  Ellen  Byrne.    He  attends  the  Catholic  church. 


62  Life  Sketches. 

In  the  canvass  which  resulted  in  placing  him  in  the  seat 
which  he  now  occupies  he  was  opposed  by  Morgan  Joi^es, 
and  defeated  him  by  a  majority  of  6,063.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  Committee  on  Cities,  Erection  and  Division  of  Towns 
and  Counties,  and  Rules. 


JOHN    GANSON. 


The  Thirty-first  Senatorial  district  consists  of  the  county 
of  Erie.     The  Senator  is  John  Ganson. 

John  Ganson  was  born  in  LeRoy,  Genesee  county,  N.  Y., 
in  1818.  After  pursuing  the  usual  preliminary  studies,  he 
entered  Harvard  College,  from  Avhich  institution  he  grad- 
uated in  1839.  He  began  the  study  of  the  law  directly  after 
his  graduation,  and  as  a  lawyer  has  been  known  ever  since. 
He  occupies  a  prominent  place  in  the  ranks  of  his  profession, 
standing  at  the  head  of  the  bar  of  Erie  county. 

The  first  official  position  ever  held  by  Mr.  Ganson  was 
that  of  Senator,  in  1863  -  63.  The  author  of  "  Life  Sketches '' 
for  those  years,  sketches  him  as  follows: 

"  Senator  Ganson  is  one  of  the  most  prepossessing  men  in 
the  Senate,  both  in  his  personal  appearance  and  the  general 
tone  of  his  character.  He  is  somewhat  above  the  medium 
height,  straight,  active,  and  well  formed,  and  has  a  brisk 
energetic  gait,  which  is  strongly  significant  of  his  firm  and 
decisive  character.  His  eye,  which  is  deep  blue,  is  intensely 
brilliant,  and  as  clear  as  the  morning  star.  When  he  looks 
at  a  man,  it  seems  as  though  he  were  going,  literally,  to  read 
him  through  and  through,  and  no  amount  of  oily  duplicity, 
no  brazen  effrontery,  no  studied  concealment  could  avail  any 
thing  before  his  keen,  penetrating  glance.  It  is  an  eye  to 
make  all  rogues  tremble,  look  round  about  them  to  be  sure 
that  they  have  not  been  unwittingly  engaged  in  some  mis- 


John  Ganson,  63 

cliief.  He  has  always  persistently  refused  to  allow  his  name 
to  be  presented  to  the  people  as  a  candidate,  aud.his  nomina- 
tion for  Senator  was  conferred  upon  him  without  his  knowl- 
edge. Two  committees  were  selected  by  the  convention  to 
apprise  him  of  his  nomination,  but,  although  he  stated  dis- 
tinctly to  both  of  them  that  he  would  not,  under  any  circum- 
stances, accept  the  distinction,  the  last  appointed  informed 
the  convention  that  he  had  consented  to  accept,  and  his 
nomination  was  accordingly  ratified  and  his  election  tri- 
umphantly secured.  Finding  himself  thus  unavoidably 
placed  before  the  people,  he  made  a  short  speech,  defining  his 
position  on  the  war,  and  sustaining  the  administration  in  a 
successful  suppression  of  the  rebellion ;  but  beyond  this  he 
did  nothing  whatever  to  secure  his  election,  althougli  his 
opponent,  who  was  one  of  the  most  popular  men  in  the  dis- 
trict, labored  zealously  to  secure  his  own  triumph." 

So  much  for  the  Senator  as  he  appeared  to  one  in  pursuit 
of  his  life  ten  years  ago.  He  was  elected  as  a  representative 
from  New  York  to  the  Thirty-eighth  Congress,  and  while 
occupying  a  seat  in  that  honorable  body,  served  on  the  Com- 
mittee on  Elections.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  famous 
Chicago  Convention  of  1864,  that  nominated  McClellan" 
for  the  Presidency. 

The  circumstances  attending  Mr.  Ganson's  nomination 
for  the  position  which  he  now  holds,  resembled  those  attend- 
ing his  former  nomination  in  one  particular,  he  seemed  loth 
to  run  and  is  said  to  have  expressed  anything  but  satisfaction 
when  informed  of  his  nomination.  The  office  evidently 
sought  him  and  not  he  the  office,  and  it  follows  as  a  conse- 
quence that  he  is  confessedly  the  right  man  in  the  right 
place.  He  has  made  an  enviable  record  in  the  Senate,  as  the 
unrelenting  foe  of  special  legislation,  and  has  been  zealous,  as 
member  of  the  Judiciary  Committee,  in  assisting  in  framing 
adverse  reports  on  a  large  amount  of  crude  and  improvident 
legislation.  It  has  been  well  said  of  him,  with  more  force 
than  elegance,  that  "  he  invariably  scents,  instinctively,  '  the 


64  Life  Sketches, 

nigger,'  in  a  measure  of  questionable  propriety."  He  cherishes 
a  contempt  for  all  manner  of  combinations,  log-rolling  and 
class-legislation.  A  Democrat  of  the  conservative  school,  he 
is  not  embarrassed  in  a  free  and  conscientious  discharge  of  his 
duties  by  party  drill  or  influence.  He  is  justly  classed 
among  the  foremost  orators  of  the  Senate,  and  always  speaks 
clearly  and  forcibly. 

Senator  Ganson"  is  a  member  of  the   Committees  on 
Judiciary,  Claims,  and  Commerce  and  Navigation. 


JACOB  A.  GROSS. 


The  Sixth  Senatorial  district  of  the  State  of  New  York 
consists  of  the  tenth,  eleventh  and  seventeenth  wards  of  the 
city  of  New  York.     The  Senator  is  Jacob  A.  Gross. 

Senator  Gross  is  one  of  the  youngest  members  of  the 
present  Senate,  having  been  born  in  1842.  He  is  a  New 
Yorker,  and  the  son  of  Martik  Gross,  deceased.  After 
receiving  his  preliminary  education  in  the  private  schools  of 
the  metropolis,  he  devoted 'some  time  to  the  study  of  law  at 
the  well-known  Columbia  College  Law  School.  He  gradu- 
ated in  1864  with  the  degree  of  LL.  B.,  and  the  next  year 
was  made  LL.  M.,  by  the  same  college.  He  has  devoted 
himself  ever  since  to  law  as  his  profession,  and  has  been 
rewarded  with  a  fair  degree  of  success. 

In  politics  the  Senator  has  always  been  a  Democrat,  but 
never  a  member  of  Tammany  Hall  until  its  re-organization 
a  few  years  ago.  He  is  now  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Tammany  General  Committee. 

The  J;:'enator  was  elected  to  the  position  which  he  now 
occupies  by  a  majority  of  3,312  votes  over  George  Hencken, 
Jr.,  the  nominee  of  the  Republican  party.  In  1871  there 
was  a  Democratic  plurality  in  the  district  of  2,425. 


Jacob  A,  Gross.  65 

Senator  Gkoss  is  an  easy  and  fluent  debater,  and  takes  an 
active  part  in  the  discussions  arising  on  the  important 
measures  presented  for  the  consideration  of  the  Senate.  As 
a  legislator,  he  may  be  denominated  cautious,  deliberate  and 
conscientious.  He  speaks  often,  but  seldom  at  any  length,  and 
always  with  clearness  and  earnestness.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Committee  on  Banks,  the  Committee  on  Charitable  and 
Religious  Societies,  and  the  Committee  on  Villages. 

Senator  Gross  is  unmarried,  and  attends  the  Catholic 
church. 


JOHN  C.  JACOBS. 


The  Senator  from  the  third  district  of  Kings  county, 
having  served  in  the  lower  House  during  the  years  1867, 
'68,  '69,  '70,  '71,  '72  and  '73,  was  abundantly  qualified,  by 
legislative  experience  and  knowledge,  to  respond  to  the  call 
which  came  to  him  last  fall  from  his  constituents,  "  Friend, 
come  up  higher."  A  leader  in  the  Assembly  for  seven  years, 
it  was  to  be  expected,  on  the  retirement  of  Hon.  Henry  C. 
Murphy  from  the  seat  which  he  had  filled  so  ably  for  twelve 
successive  years,  that  he  would  be  given  the  succession.  Mr. 
Jacobs  was  elected  to  the  Senate  by  a  majority  of  3,984 
over  John  F.  Henry. 

The  salient  points  in  his  history  may  be  stated  as  follows: 
He  was  born  in  Lancaster  county,  Penhsylvania,  on  the  10th 
of  December,  1838,  and  is  therefore  now  in  the  thirty-fifth 
year  of  his  age.  His  paternal  ancestors  were  of  the  old  New 
England  Revolutionary  stock,  and  several  of  them  partici- 
pated with  honor  in  the  memorable  struggle  for  independ- 
ence. Mr.  Jacobs'  mother  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  and 
was  of  German  origin,  one  of  her  progenitors  having  held  a 
high  position  under  Frederick  the  Great  of  Prussia. 

When  Mr.  Jacobs  was  quite  young  his  parents  removed  to 


66  Life  Sketches. 

Brooklyn,  where  ho  was  placed  in  a  select  school  as  soon  as  he 
had  reached  a  sufficient  age.  The  family  removed  to  Phila- 
delphia a  few  years  later,  and  his  school  studies  may  be  said 
to  have  closed  when  he  attained  the  age  of  twelve.  He  was, 
nevertheless,  able  to  turn  every  opportunity  of  obtaining 
knowledge  to  account,  and  the  loss  occasioned  by  the  check 
thus  given  to  his  educational  progress,  is  not  as  apparent  as 
it  might  be  in  a  duller  man.  Eeturning  to  Brooklyn,  after 
a  year's  stay  in  Philadelphia,  he  entered  a  lawyer's  office  as  a 
messenger  boy.  The  drudgery  there  required  of  him  was, 
however,  very  repugnant  to  his  somewhat  high-strung  nature, 
and  he  left  it  after  a  short  experience,  and  sought  and 
obtained  a  position  as  copy-holder  in  the  large  printing 
establishment  of  John"  A.  Gray  &  Co.,  New  York.  A 
large  number  of  journals  being  issued  from  the  establish- 
ment, Mr.  Jacobs  naturally  came  in  contact  with  many 
newspaper  men,  and  he  soon  developed  a  taste  for  journal- 
istic life.  At  the  age  of  eighteen  he  became  a  reporter  for  the 
New  York  Express.  He  showed  great  aptitude  and  ability 
in  the  arduous  duties  belonging  to  the  life  he  had  now 
entered,  and  was  gradually  promoted  on  the  Express  staff, 
until  he  was  given  charge  of  the  political  news  columns.  In 
1859  he  became  correspondent  of  the  same  paper  at  Albany, 
remaining  with  it  until  1865,  when,  in  the  same  capacity,  he 
represented  the  New  York  World.  He  also  won  distinction 
as  a  war  correspondent,  volunteering  in  1862  to  accompany 
McClellan's  army  to  the  Peninsula.  Becoming  attached 
to  the  1st  New  York  Volunteers,  then  in  Kearj^'Ey's 
division,  he  had  a  chance  to  see  and  participate  in  some  of 
the  hardest  fighting  of  the  war.  His  account  of  the  evacua- 
tion of  Harrison's  Landing  and  the  march  to  Yorktown, 
which  he  sent  to  the  Express^  was  extensively  copied  by  the 
press  of  the  country. 

Mr.  Jacobs  began  his  political  life  when  a  mere  boy.  In 
1856,  when  but  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  was  active  in  his 
opposition  to  Fremont's  election.   In  1860  he  was  well  known 


John  C.  Jacobs,  67 

in  Brooklyn  as  a  leader  among  the  young  men  who  com- 
bined against  the  Lincoln  ticket.  In  18G3  he  received  the 
regular  Democratic  nomination  for  Assembly,  against  John 
0.  Perry,  Republican  member  of  the  last  Senate.  The- 
OPHiLUS  C.  Callicott  ran  as  an  Independent  Democratic 
candidate,  however,  and  the  split  thereby  occasioned  defeated 
him.  In  1865  he  also  ran,  being  again  defeated  by  William 
W.  Goodrich,  after  an  unusually  spirited  contest.  Mr. 
Jacobs'  friends  insisted  that  he  should  run  again  in  1866, 
and  the  Democratic  Convention  nominated  him  by  acclama- 
tion. A  strong  effort  was  made  by  the  Republicans  to  defeat 
him,  but  the  plucky  young  journalist  was  successful  this 
time  by  900  majority.  From  that  time  until  his  elevation  to 
the  Senate,  he  was  regularly  returned  every  fall  to  the 
Assembly,  his  majority  being  usually  larger  than  the  State 
ticket  received. 

In  1869  he  served  on  the  Committee  on  Commerce  and 
Navigation,  and  on  several  special  committees.  In  1870  he 
was  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Ways  and  Means,  and  a 
member  of  the  Committees  on  Insurance,  and  Grievances. 
In  1871  he  was  a  member  of  the  Committees  on  Grievances, 
Judiciary,  and  Ways  and  Means,  and  Chairman  of  the  latter. 
In  1872  he  was  a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Ways  and 
Means,  and  Petitions  of  Aliens ;  and  in  the  last  House  he 
was  a  member  of  Ways  and  Means,  Insurance,  and  Rules. 
During  the  session  of  1872  Mr.  Jacobs  was  honored  by  being 
chosen  as  one  of  the  managers  to  conduct  the  trials  of  Judges 
Barnard  and  McCunn.  In  the  years  when  the  Democrats 
held  the  majority  in  the  House,  Mr.  Jacobs  displayed  great 
effectiveness  as  a  leader  and  party  manager,  winning  deserved 
repute  for  his  readiness  and  ability  in  debate,  his  tireless 
activity  and  his  dauntless  courage  in  battling  for  political 
principles.  Two  or  three  times  he  has  been  a  candidate  for 
the  Speakership,  but  in  the  year  when  the  party  majority  was 
with  him,  the  Tammany  interest  of  New  York  city,  with 
which   he  was  not   always  in   entire   accord,  succeeded  in 


68  Life  Sketches. 

defeating  him.  He  was  the  candidate  of  the  Democratic 
minority  for  the  position  in  the  session  of  1872,  and  also  in 
the  last  one,  receiving  the  entire  vote  of  his  party.  Inas- 
much as  he  possesses  peculiar  qualifications  for  the  post  of 
presiding  officer,  and  is  thoroughly  versed  in  parliamentary 
law,  the  compliment  thus  twice  given  him  was  in  every  way 
deserved. 

Mr.  Jacobs  is  a  great  favorite  among  all  his  friends. 
Though  he  is  an  ardent  and  active  partisan,  there  is  yet  a 
courteousness  of  manner  and  a  frankness  of  language  in  all 
his  political  endeavors,  which  invariably  extorts  admiration 
and  respect  from  his  most  decided  opponents.  He  is  a  man 
of  large  heart  and  warm  sympathies  to  his  friends,  and  gen- 
erous to  his  foes,  very  few  of  the  latter  being  such  in  other 
than  a  political  sense.  In  legislative  matters  he  devotes  the 
largest  share  of  his  attention  to  local  affairs ;  but  his  ring- 
ing voice  is  often  heard,  also,  in  defense  of  party  policy,  and 
in  denunciation  of  Eepublican  measures  and  schemes.  He 
is  very  fluent  in  debate,  occasionally  rising  to  heights  of  ora- 
torical eloquence ;  and  he  never  fails  to  command  the  atten- 
tioi-  of  the  Senate  when  once  warmed  up  with  his  subject. 
He  unquestionably  stands  among  the  foremost  members  of  a 
minority  which  includes  a  number  of  very  able  men. 

The  Senator  is  a  member  of  the  important  Committees  on 
Finance,  and  Affairs  of  Cities. 


William  Johnson,  69 


WILLIAM  JOHNSON. 


Senator  Johnson  probably  does  more  than  any  other  man 
in  the  Senate  to  promote  a  general  good  feeling  all  around 
the  circle.  Jolly  himself,  he  is  the  cause  of  jollity  in  others. 
He  has  a  keen  sense  of  the  ludicrous,  and  frequently  chooses 
to  place  an  adversary  hors  du  combat  by  a  racy  repartee, 
rather  than  force  his  surrender  by  the  slow  processes  of  logi- 
cal reasoning.  He  rarely  allows  a  subject  to  be  disposed  of 
without  putting  his  mark  upon  it,  and 

" is  so  full  of  pleasing  anecdote, 

So  rich,  8o  gay,  so  poignant  in  his  wit, 
Time  vanishes  before  him  as  he  speaks." 

Urbane  and  pleasant  in  his  address,  and  carrying  around 
with  him  "  the  atmosphere  of  gay,  good  cheer,"  he  is  a  very 
popular  gentleman.  A  natural  talker,  fluent  and  ready  on  a 
great  variety  of  subjects,  he  is  one  of  the  marked  men  of  the 
Senate. 

Senator  Johnson  represents  the  Twenty-sixth  district, 
including  within  its  territory  the  counties  of  Ontario,  Seneca 
and  Yates.  He  is  a  native  of  the  good  old  Bay  State,  and 
is  now  not  far  from  50  years  of  age.  He  is  of  unmixed 
English  descent,  the  son  of  David  and  Olive  Stodard 
Johnson.  His  father  died  in  1825,  at  Herkimer,  Herkimer 
county,  this  State.  The  subject  of  our  sketch  came^to  New 
York  while  he  was  yet  an  infant,  with  his  parents,  who  took 
up  their  residence  in  Herkimer  county.  He  received  a  com- 
mon school  education,  and  subsequently  was  engaged  some 
five  years  in  mercantile  pursuits.  From  1849  until  1856  he 
followed  the  business  of  jobbing,  as  a  contractor  on  the 
canals,  and  afterward  was  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of 
woolen  goods  at  Seneca  Falls,  where  he  now  resides.     Of  late 


70  Life  Sketches. 

years,  he  has  become  prominently  known  as  a  railroad  con- 
tractor. 

The  story  of  his  life,  as  he  himself  tells  it  in  familiar  con- 
versation, shows  that  his  career  has  been  indeed  a  chequered 
one.  Full  of  ups  and  downs,  of  fortunes  made  and  fortunes 
lost,  it  has  been  marked  throughout  by  an  unflagging  energy 
and  a  disposition  to  make  the  best  of  the  allotments  of  Fate, 
be  the  same  fair  or  foul.  Having  tried  his  hand  at  a  great 
variety  of  pursuits  he  has  accumulated  a  stock  of  experience 
of  a  rich  and  varied  nature. 

In  1862,  having  the  year  previous  represented  the  county 
of  Seneca  in  the  Assembly,  he  felt  moved  to  do  his  share  in 
putting  down  the  rebellion,  arguing,  doubtless,  that  it  was 
useless  to  concern  oneself  about  making  laws  for  a  country 
until  it  had  first  been  conclusively  settled  in  the  minds  of  all 
men  that  there  was,  and  was  to  be,  a  country  capable  of 
enforcing  obedience  to  its  laws  and  maintaining  its  own  exist- 
ence. He  raised  the  148th  regiment  New  York  State  volun- 
teers and  commanded  it  until  near  the  close  of  the  year  1863, 
when  he  resigned  and  returned  to  civil  life. 

In  the  Assembly  of  1861  he  Avas  assigned  a  place  on  two 
important  committees,  Canals  and  Commerce  and  Naviga- 
tion, and  made  an  intelligelit  and  useful  legislator.  He  was 
adjudged  to  have  possessed  a  large  degree  of  representative 
ability,  and  to  have  faithfully  and  efficiently  discharged  his 
official  duties. 

Mr.  Johnson  has  been  elected  and  re-elected  to  the  Senate 
from  a  district  usually  carried  by  his  political  opponents,  and 
his  success  under  the  circumstances  was  a  signal  proof  of 
great  popularity.  Notwithstanding  the  other  side  had  a  rec- 
ord of  332  majority  for  1869  to  take  heart  with,  he  succeeded 
in  1871  in  wiping  those  figures  out  and  gaining  the  Senator- 
ship  by  a  majority  of  964.  In  the  last  Senate  he  was  on  the 
Standing  Committees  on  Canals,  Manufactures  and  Griev- 
ances, and  was  Chairman  of  the  Special  Committee  appointed 
to  investigate  the  charges  against  Tweed. 


Charles  Kellogg,  71 

The  record  made  by  the  Senator  during  the  last  two  years 
commending  itself  to  his  constituents,  he  was  unanimously 
and  by  acclamation  renominated  to  represent  the  Twenty- 
sixth  district.  After  an  exciting  and  closely  contested  can- 
vass he  was  re-elected  over  his  Republican  opponent,  Nes- 
tor WooDWORTH,  by  a  majority  of  174.  He  is  a  member 
of  the  important  Committees  on  Canals  and  Manufactures, 
also  of  the  Militia  Committee. 

The  Senator  was  married  in  the  summer  of  1855,  to 
Angeline  Chamberlain,  daughter  of  the  late  Hon.  Jacob 
P.  Chamberlain. 


CHARLES  KELLOGG. 


'V\\(i  Twenty-first  Senatorial  district  of  the  State  of  New 
York  consists  of  the  counties  of  Madison  and  Oswego. 
The  Senator  is  Charles  Kellogg. 

Senator  Kellogg,  one  of  the  youngest  members  of  the 
present  body,  was  born  in  Minden,  Montgomery  county, 
on  the  4th  of  December,  1839.  His  father,  Daniel  F.  Kel- 
logg, was  a  member  of  the  Assembly  in  1864.  After  receiv- 
ing a  thorough  education  at  the  Yates  Polytechnic  Institute 
at  Chittenango,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  applied  himself 
to  the  study  of  law.  He  attended  a  full  course  of  lectures 
at  the  Albany  Law  School  and  graduated  from  that  institu- 
tion in  1863.  He  has  ever  since  been  actively  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  his  profession.  At  the  present  time  he  is  a 
member  of  the  law  firm  of  Lansing  &  Kellogg,  at  Chit- 
tenango, Madison  county. 

Mr.  Kellogg  has  always  taken  a  deep  interest  in  politics. 
Believing  in  the  principles  of  the  Republican  party  he  has 
devoted  himself  as  opportunity  offered  to  the  advancement 
of  its  interests,  and  is  now  recognized  as  one  of  the  leaders 
of  the  organization  in  Madison  county.      Though  still  a 


72  Life  Sketches. 

young  man,  being  but  a  little  past  thirty,  he  is  well  and 
favorably  known  throughout  the  Twenty-first  district. 

Mr.  Kellogg  was  elected  to  the  high  position  which  he 
now  holds  by  a  majority  of  1,443  over  Mathevt  J.  Schoe- 
CRAFT,  his  Democratic  opponent.  In  arranging  his  Standing 
Committees,  the  President  of  the  Senate  named  the  Senator 
for  several  important  places.  He  is  chairman  of  Eoads  and 
Bridges  and  a  member  of  two  other  of  the  most  important 
committees  of  the  Legislature,  Judiciary  and  Canals.  He 
is  also  a  member  of  the  Committee  on  Salt. 

Mr.  Kellogg  is  quiet  and  unassuming  in  his  manner,  and 
extremely  courteous  and  affable  to  all  with  whom  he  is 
brought  in  contact.  As  a  legislator  he  is  capable  and  effici- 
ent ;  seldom  absent  from  his  seat  in  the  Senate  chamber,  he 
keeps  a  sharp  watch  on  all  that  is  going  on.  Although  not 
a  frequent  speech-maker,  he  is  by  no  means  lacking  in  ability, 
to  express  himself  with  clearness  and  force. 


JOHN  A.  KING. 


The  First  Senatorial  district  consists  of  the  counties  of 
Suffolk,  Queens  and  Richmond.     The  Senator  is  John"  A. 

Kll^^G. 

John  a.  Kin'G  was  born  in  Jamaica,  Long  Island,  July 
14,  1817.  He  is  the  son  of  Johj^  A.  Kin"G,  Governor  of 
New  York  in  1857  and  1858,  and  grandson  of  Rufus  King, 
who  filled  so  large  and  honorable  a  place  in  the  early  annals 
of  this  State  and  of  the  Union. 

After  attending  Union  Hall  Academy  at  Jamaica  for  ten 
years,  from  1822  to  1832,  he  entered  the  Sophomore  class  at 
Harvard  College,  from  which  institution  he  graduated  in 
1835.  For  a  short  time  following  his  graduation  he  engaged 
in  mercantile  pursuits,  and  then  applied  himself  to  the  study 
of  law,  and  in  due  course  of  time  was  admitted  to  the  bar. 


John  A.  King.  73 

For  the  past  twenty  years  he  has  been  an  agriculturist, 
seeming  to  take  great  pleasure  in  the  pursuit  so  dear  to  his 
ancestors. 

In  politics,  Mr.  King  was  a  Whig  until  the  formation  of 
the  Republican  party.  Since  then  he  has  been  an  unswerving 
and  ardent  Republican.  He  has  been  a  delegate  to  a  number 
of  the  State  conventions  of  his  party,  and  assisted  at  the 
nomination  of  Grant  and  Wilson,  at  Philadelphia,  in  1872. 
He  was  elected  Republican  Presidential  elector  for  the  First 
Congressional  district  of  the  State  in  the  fall  of  the  same 
year. 

Mr.  King  was  termed  by  the  parties  opposed  to  him  in 
his  canvass  for  Senator,  as  "  the  ancestral  candidate,"  a  title 
of  which  he  had  no  reason  to  be  ashamed.  A  brief  sketch 
of  his  distinguished  father  and  grandfather  will  not  be  con- 
sidered out  of  place  in  this  connection. 

RuFUS  King  was  born  in  Massachusetts,  and  filled  con- 
secutively the  office  of  representative  in  the  State  Legislature 
and  delegate  to  the  Constitutional  Convention.  He  was, 
also,  a  member  of  the  convention  which  framed  the  present 
Federal  Constitution  in  1787,  and  enacted  an  influential  and 
conspicuous  part  in  its  important  and  difficult  deliberations. 
In  the  same  year,  he  removed  to  New  York  and  became  the 
first  United  States  Senator  elected  from  that  State.  In  the 
Senate  he  was  a  recognized  leader  of  the  Federalists,  or  anti- 
Democratic  party.  He  aided  in  the  expulsion  of  Albert 
Gallatin  from  that  body,  and  subsequently,  when  he  and 
Alexander  Hamilton  attempted  to  address  a  public  meet- 
ing in  the  city  of  New  York,  called  to  uphold  the  celebrated 
"Jay  Treaty"  with.  Great  Britain,  the  citizens  refused  to 
hear  them  lest  they  might  defeat  the  treaty.  They,  how- 
ever, accomplished  their  purpose  by  publishing  a  series  of 
articles  in  the  newspapers  of  the  day.  Mr.  King  was  again 
elected  to  the  Senate  in  1795,  and  in  1796  resigned  to  accept 
the  mission  to  England  from  President  Washington.  In 
1813,  and  again  in  1820,  he  was  returned  to  the  Senate.  In 
10 


74  LiF-E  Sketches, 

1816  he  was  nominated  for  Governor  by  his  party.  In  1816 
he  ran  unsuccessfully  against  James  Monroe  for  President. 
In  1821  he  sat  in  the  New  York  State  Constitutional  Con- 
vention. He  died  in  1828  at  the  ripe  old  age  of  seventy- 
three. 

His  friends  claim  for  Rufus  King,  that  he  was  the  origi- 
nator of  the  celebrated  Congressional  ordinance  of  1787,  by 
which  negro  slavery  was  abolished  in  the  North-west  Terri- 
tories. When  in  Congress  in  1820,  he  also  opposed  the 
Missouri  proviso  or  "  Compromise,"  and  was  prominent  in 
opposition  to  the  admission  of  that  State  into  the  Union. 
Thomas  H.  Benton  in  his  "Thirty  Years'  View"  does  full 
justice  to  the  career  of  Rufus  King. 

John  A.  King,  father  of  the  Senator,  was  mustered  into 
the  service  of  the  United  States  in  1812,  and  held  the  rank 
of  lieutenant  in  the  militia  during  the  war.  He  six  times 
represented  the  county  of  Queens  in  the  Assembly  during 
the  years  1812,  1820,  1821,  1832,  1838  and  1840,  and  was  a 
member  of  the  State  Senate  in  1823.  In  1825  he  was  Secre- 
tary of  Legation  at  London  under  his  father.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Thirty-first  Congress,  where  he  highly  dis- 
tinguished himself  in  debate.  He  opposed  the  Compromise 
measures  of  1850  and  the  Fugitive  Slave  Law  with  much 
ability  and  zeal.  In  1856  he  was  a  delegate  to  the  Republi- 
can Presidential  Convention  at  Philadelphia,  and  his  name 
was  suggested  for  the  Vice-Presidential  nomination  on  the 
ticket  with  Col.  Fremont.  It  is  said  he  had  only  to  signify 
his  willingness  to  accept  to  have  secured  the  nomination 
which  was  given  to  Mr.  Dayton,  of  New  Jersey.  He  was 
elected  Governor  of  the  State  of  New  York  in  1856,  defeat- 
ing Hon.  A.  J.  Parker,  the  Democratic  nominee,  by  a 
majority  of  65,784 

For  the  following  brief  sketch  of  the  Senator,  we  are 
indebted  to  the  Long  Island  Farmer,  Writing  of  his  nomi- 
nation, it  said : 


John  A.  Ktno.  75 

"Senator  John  A.  King,  eldest  son  of  the  Governor,  was 
bom  in  Jamaica,  at  the  old  place  on  Beaver  Fond,  lately 
occupied  by  the  Hon.  William  J.  Cogswell.  The  house  was 
destroyed  by  fire  and  the  present  one  erected  by  the  late 
Tunis  Van  Brunt.  Mr.  King  graduated  at  Harvard  Col- 
lege, Cambridge,  Massachusetts,  in  the  summer  of  1835.  He 
was  married  some  few  years  after,  and  for  a  long  time  has 
resided  at  Great  Neck,  taking  great  pleasure  in  the  pursuits 
so  dear  to  his  ancestors.  From  the  retirement  of  his  life  as 
a  gentleman  farmer,  he  now  comes  forth  for  the  first  time, 
to  occupy  an  important  political  position.  His  classical 
education,  together  with  great  familiarity  with  affairs  of 
State,  gained  by  seasons  of  residence  in  Washington,  and  by 
association  with  the  most  honorable  of  public  men,  makes 
him  eminently  fitted  to  fill  with  great  success  the  place  of 
State  Senator.  Inheriting  not  only  the  outward  apj^earance 
of  his  noble  father,  but  similar  traits  of  character,  we  know 
that  the  First  district  will  look  with  pride  upon  the  career 
of  its  representative  during  the  next  two  years,  and  at  the 
end  of  that  time,  we  doubt  not  that  our  party  will  unite  in 
nominating  John  A.  King  as  candidate  for  the  National 
Congress,  where  his  grandfather,  father  and  uncle  had  been 
before  him." 

The  high  esteem  in  which  the  Senator  is  held  by  those 
who  know  him  best,  is  shown  in  the  extraordinary  vote  he 
received  in  his  senatorial  canvass.  He  had  a  majority  of 
1,707  in  a  district  which  had  been  known  as  a  Democratic 
stronghold.  It  never  had  elected  a  Republican  Senator 
before,  and  then  only  through  a  division  in  the  Democracy 
with  two  Democratic  candidates  running. 


76  Life  Sketches. 


THOMAS   A.  LEDWITH. 


The  Seventh  Senatorial  district  consists  of  the  18th,  20th, 
and  21st  wards  of  the  city  of  New  York,  and  its  present 
representative  is  Thomas  A.  Ledwith.  Mr.  Ledwith  was 
born  in  the  city  from  whence  he  now  hails  on  the  14th  of 
February,  1840.  He  was  educated  at  St.  Francis  Xavier 
College,  New  York,  and  graduated  therefrom  in  1856.  He 
at  once  applied  himself  to  the  study  of  the  law,  which  he 
had  chosen  for  his  profession,  and  in  1861  he  was  admitted 
to  practice.  With  him  law  and  politics  went  hand  in  hand, 
and  in  1862  he  was  sent  to  the  Assembly  from  the  Eleventh 
district  of  the  metropolis,  being  elected  by  a  majority  of  over 
2,000.  He  enjoyed  the  distinction  of  being  the  youngest 
member  of  the  lower  house  of  1863,  and  signalized  his  entrance 
into  legislative  life  by  his  opposition  to  the  Broadway  railroad 
bill,  which  passed  and  was  vetoed  by  Governor  Seymour. 
He  was  assigned  a  place  on  the  important  committee  of  the 
judiciary.  The  author  of  the  "  Biographical  Sketches  "  pub- 
lished in  1863,  speaking  of  Mr.  Ledwith,  says :  "  He  is  said 
to  be  a  young  gentleman  of  excellent  attainments,  and  prom- 
ises to  rise  early  in  his  profession.  He  possesses  a  pleasant 
exterior,  never  attempts  any  forensic  display,  has  many  friends 
in  the  legislative  circle,  and  serves  his  constituents  truly  and 
faithfully,  being  in  every  way  worthy  of  their  confidence  and 
esteem." 

In  the  fall  of  1863,  Mr.  Ledwith,  fresh  from  the  Legisla- 
ture, was  again  honored  with  a  testimonial  of  the  regard  in 
which  he  was  held  by  his  political  friends.  The  Democracy 
nominated  and  elected  him  to  the  important  and  honorable 
position  of  police  justice.  His  administration  on  the  bench 
gave  such  satisfaction  that,  at  the  expiration  of  his  term  of 
office,  he  was  in  1869  re-elected,  notwithstanding  the  stubborn 


Jar  VIS  Lord.  77 

opposition  of  Tammany  Hall,  which  was  then  at  the  zenith 
of  its  power. 

In  1870  the  Young  Democracy  of  New  York  city  made 
him  their  candidate  for  mayor,  in  opposition  to  A.  Oakey 
Hall.  He  made  a  spirited  canvass,  but  did  not  succeed  in 
securing  the  election.  Mr.  Ledwith  was  elected  to  the  Senate 
by  a  miijority  of  680  over  James  Everaed,  the  Republican 
candidate,  who  also  drew  to  his  support  the  Apollo  Hall 
branch  of  the  Democracy. 

Senator  Ledwith  is  a  thorough  Democrat,  following 
strictly  party  lines  on  all  leading  questions  coming  before 
the  Senate.  He  is  a  member  of  the  following  committees : 
Insurance,  Public  Expenditures,  and  Engrossed  Bills. 


JARVIS  LORD. 


Mr.  Lord,  the  Senator  from  the  twenty-eighth  district, 
was  bom  at  Ballston,  Saratoga  county,  February  10,  1816. 
He  is  in  the  prime  of  life,  and  as  vigorous  as  he  was  at 
twenty-five ;  of  good  physical  proportions,  an  excellent  con- 
stitution,  and  a  temperament  adapted  to  severe  endurance, 
both  of  body  and  mind;  he  has  been  favored  with  good 
health,  and  seldom  tires  by  active  labor. 

Mr.  Lord  was  the  son  of  poor  parents,  and  had  no  other 
educational  advantages  than  those  afforded  by  the  common 
schools  in  the  days  of  his  boyhood.  He  availed  himself  of 
these,  however,  so  far  as  to  acquire  a  tolerable  knowledge  of 
those  branches  which  were  to  be  most  essential  to  his  future 
success  in  business  life.  He  early  adopted  the  avocation  of 
farming,  and  though,  during  most  of  his  subsequent  life,  he 
has  had  large  interests  in  other  pursuits,  he  has  made  the 
farm  his  home,  and  has  taken  a  pride  in  the  culture  of  the 


78  Life  Sketches. 

soil.  He  has  resided,  for  thirty  years  or  more,  at  Pittsford, 
seven  miles  from  Rochester,  and  has  there  one  of  the  best 
cultivated  and  most  productive  farms  in  Monroe  county. 
He  takes  delight  in  the  cultivation  of  fruit  and  the  raising 
of  stock,  devoting  himself  particularly  to  horses,  of  which  he 
is  a  great  admirer. 

Mr.  Lord  has  always  been  a  Democrat  of  the  Jackson" 
and  Weight  school.  Devoted  to  the  Union,  he  warmly 
espoused  the  Federal  cause  at  the  beginning  of  the  rebellion, 
and  gave  freely  to  promote  the  national  interests,  and,  it  is 
said,  did  more  than  any  other  man  in  his  town  to  keep  the 
calls  for  men  filled,  and  to  help  the  soldiers  in  the  field  and 
at  home.  He  has  enjoyed  a  personal  popularity  in  his  own 
town  equaled  by  few  men,  and  when  nominated  for  office, 
his  neighbors  have  s-upported  him  with  enthusiasm.  He  was 
made  the  recipient  of  a  testimonial  in  the  spring  of  1871, 
which  spoke  volumes  as  to  his  success  in  office,  and  his 
assured  place  in  the  confidence  of  those  who  had  intrusted 
vital  interests  to  his  keeping.  Serving  two  terms  in  the 
lower  House,  and  one  term  in  the  upper  one,  he  had  devel- 
oped signal  legislative  capacity,  and  an  unfaltering  devotion 
to  the  best  interests  of  his  constituents.  On  his  return 
home  in  1871,  at  the  end  of  his  first  Senatorial  term,  his 
constituents,  without  distinction  of  party,  gave  expression  to 
their  appreciation  of  their  gratitude  for  his  services  in  their 
regard  by  affording  for  his  acceptance  a  testimonial  in  the 
shape  of  an  elaborate  service  of  plate.  The  presentation  cer- 
.emonies  took  place  at  the  Senator's  residence  at  Pittsford,  and 
a  special  train  was  run  from  Rochester  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  the  large  number  who  desired  to  be  present  on  the 
interesting  occasion.  The  presentation  speech  was  made  by 
William  N.  Sage,  and  Senator  Lord  made  an  appropriate, 
eloquent  and  feeling  response.  Letters  were  read  from 
prominent  gentlemen  regretting  their  inability  to  be  present 
on  the  interesting  occasion,  and  expressing  their  congratula- 
tions. 


Jar  VIS  Lord.  79 

The  formality  of  presentation  over,  the  presents  were 
inspected  and  admired.  The  testimonial  consisted  of  the 
following  articles :  Silver  server,  coffee  urn,  two  tea  pots,  sugar 
bowl,  cream  pitcher,  slop  bowl,  card  dish,  fruit  stand  and 
soup  tureen.  The  articles  are  all  solid  sterling  silver,  hand- 
somely engraved  and  gold  lined.     The  silver  is  marked : 

"  Hon.  Jarvis  Lord,  from  the  citizens  of  the  twenty-eighth 
Senatorial  district  of  New  York,  as  an  atjknowledgment  of 
faithful  services." 

All  the  article?  named  are  marked  with  the  monogram, 
"J.  L."  in  handsome  old  English  letter.  The  cost  of  the 
testimonial  was  12,500. 

And  now  a  few  details  of  that  legislative  career  of  which 
we  have  spoken,  and  a  word  as  to  the  Senator's  business  his- 
tory. He  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  in  1858,  on  the  Demo- 
cratic ticket,  when  the  district  went  Republican  by  several 
hundreds.  He  was  elected  again  in  1866,  by  a  majority  of 
fifteen  over  a  strong  opponent,  when  the  district  gave  Governor 
Eenton  600  majority.  At  the  opening  of  the  Legislature, 
in  1867,  his  party  presented  him  as  the  Democratic  candi- 
date for  Speaker,  and  sustained  him  by  an  unbroken  vote; 
but  the  Republican  majority  in  the  House  accomplished  the 
election  of  Mr.  Pitts.  He  has  once  or  more  served  as  Super- 
visor. 

Mr.  Lord  has  been  engaged  for  many  years  in  building 
canals  in  this  State,  and  he  enjoys  a  wide  reputation  as  a 
contractor.  He  is  President  of  the  Bank  of  Monroe,  of 
Rochester,  a  sound  and  reliable  institution,  and  as  a  business 
man  is  well  and  favorably  known  all  over  central  and  western 
New  York. 

Mr.  Lord  has  been  a  member  of  the  Senate  since  1870, 
and  in  that  year  was  made  Chairman  of  the  Finance  Com- 
mittee. Although  a  new  man  in  that  body,  at  that  time,  he 
took  a  leading  position  from  the  start,  and  gave  evidence  of 
an  extensive  knowledge  of  the  wants  and  resources  of  the 
State.     His  report  on  the  payment  of  a  portion  of  the  State 


80  Life  Sketches. 

debt  in  coin,  made  during  the  first  year  of  his  term,  was 
regarded  as  a  paper  of  great  clearness  and  force.  The  Senator 
was  renominated  in  1871,  and  again  in  1873,  under  circum- 
stances which  must  have  been  peculiarly  gratifying  to  him, 
indicating,  as  they  did,  that  his  course  as  a  legislator  met 
with  the  hearty  approval  of  his  constituents.  Before  the 
renomination  was  made  in  1871,  a  letter  was  read  to  the 
convention  from  him,  declining  another  senatorial  term,  and 
giving  his  reasons  therefor.  The  convention  not  seeing  eye 
to  eye  with  Mr.  Lobd  on  that  point,  and  having  nomintited 
him  by  acclamation,  sent  a  committee  to  inform  the  nominee 
of  their  action,  whereof  the  Senator  appeared  in  the  conven- 
tion and  said  if  his  letter  of  declination  would  not  suffice,  he 
would  yield  to  the  wishes  of  his  constituents  and  take  the 
field.  He  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  1,838,  an  increase  of 
1,138  on  his  majority  of  1869.  He  was  elected  to  the  present 
Senate  by  a  still  larger  majority,  3,384,  an  increase  of  1,546 
over  the  majority  of  1871,  and  an  increase  of  2,684  over  the 
figures  for  1869. 

Mr.  Lord  does  not  claim  to  be  an  orator.  His  attention 
has  never  been  bestowed  on  the  embellishments  of  rhetoric 
and  elocution.  Whenever  he  has  an  opinion  to  utter  he 
delivers  it  point  blank  and  with  force,  if  not  with  grace. 
His  shrewdness,  plain  sense  and  knowledge  of  the  world  are 
his  leading  characteristics,  and  they  serve  him  well  in  the 
accomplishment  of  his  ends  as  a  Senator. 


Samuel  S.  Lowery,  81 


SAMUEL  S.  LOWERY. 


Samuel  S.  Lowery,  of  Utica,  who  represents  the  Nine- 
teenth Senatorial  District,  consisting  of  the  county  of  Oneida 
was  born  in  county  Down,  Ireland,  on  the  5th  day  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1831.  It  would,  therefore,  be  a  Hibernicism  to  say 
that  he  is  a  Scotchman,  but  his  ancestry,  not  less  than  his 
characteristics,  stamp  him  as  one  who  is  more  a  Gael  than 
a  Celt. 

Senator  Lower y's  parents  emigrated  to  this  country  when 
Samuel  was  about  fourteen  years  old,  and  settled  in  Oneida, 
county.  He  received  a  good  common  school  education  in 
Ireland,  and,  by  reason  of  a  strong  taste  for  books,  he  has 
acquired,  during  his  later  years  in  this  country,  an  extensive 
fund  of  knowledge. 

The  Senator  is,  by  occupation,  a  manufacturer  of  woolen 
goods.  In  this  business  he  has  been  quite  successful,  and 
conducts,  at  the  present  time,  an  extensive  establishment,  in 
which  he  employs  a  large  number  of  hands.  He  settled  in 
Whitestown,  Oneida  county,  on  his  arrival  in  this  country, 
and  there  remained  until  the  year  1848.  From  thence,  he 
went  to  Manchester,  New  Hampshire,  where  he  was  con- 
nected with  a  woolen  mill  until  1855,  when  he  left  and  came 
to  Utica,  and  engaged  in  the  dry  goods  business.  Success 
crowned  his  efforts,  and,  in  1861,  he  abandoned  dry  goods  to 
become  a  wool  dealer,  and,  two  years  later,  started  the  mill 
which  he  has  since  run. 

In  politics  Senator  Lowery,  although  a  strict  believer  in 
the  principles  of  the  Republican  organization,  is  never  bit- 
terly partisan.  Until  his  election  to  the  Assembly  in  1870, 
he  neither  held  nor  sought  office.  He  was  chosen  to  that 
body  by  a  majority  of  448,  over  a  worthy  and  popular  com- 
11 


82  Life  Sketches. 

petitor,  in  a  district  where  the  Eepublican  majority,  in  the 
previous  year,  was  less  than  50.  Serving  upon  the  Commit- 
tees on  Public  Education,  State  Charitable  Institutions,  and 
Eoads  and  Bridges,  he  proved  faithful  to  the  interest  of  his 
constituents,  and  exhibited  a  comprehensive  knowledge  of 
the  duties  of  a  legislator.  As  a  member  of  the  Committee 
on  Education,  he  was  especially  distinguished  for  his  sturdy 
and  unflinching  opposition  to  the  policy  of  sectarian  appro- 
priations. 

Mr.  LowERY  was  elected  to  the  last  Senate  by  a  majority 
of  1,591  over  his  opponent  (who  had  been  a  member  of  the 
preceding  Senate,  and  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  53),  in  a 
canvass  in  which  the  Republican  candidate  for  Secretary  of 
State  received  a  majority  of  1,023,  in  the  Nineteenth  Sena- 
torial District.  Senater  Lowery  was  very  properly  placed 
at  the  head  of  the  Committee  on  Manufactures;  he  was  also 
Chairman  of  the  State  Prison  Committee,  and  a  member  of 
several  other  important  committees.  He  had  the  honor  of 
renominating  Roscoe  Con'KLIN'G  for  United  States  Senator, 
and  his  speech,  in  joint  caucus  of  the  Republican  members 
of  the  Senate  and  Assembly,  in  presenting  that  gentleman, 
was  an  able  and  eloquent  effort. 

His  name  having  been  mentioned  in  connection  with 
the  mayoralty  of  Utica  last  year,  the  Senator  informed  his 
friends  that,  while  representing  the  Nineteenth  Senatorial 
District,  he  felt  in  obligation  bound  to  decline  any  other 
office,  the  holding  of  which  might  interfere  with  his  Sena- 
torial duties. 

The  Senator  was  not  ungrateful  for  the  honor  sought  to 
be  conferred  upon  him  by  his  fellow-townsmen,  but  he  wisely 
chose  not  to  accept  an  office  which  might  divide  his  atten- 
tion, caring  first  to  redeem,  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  mof^ 
strict  constructionist,  the  obligations  assumed  with  the  office 
of  Senator. 

Mr.  Lowery  was  renominated  for  the  position  which  he 
now  holds  without  so  much  as  even  the  mention  of  a  com- 


Edward  M.  Madden,  83 

petitor,  or  the  suggestion  of  opposition  in  the  convention  that 
named  him.  He  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  2,829  oyer 
Enoch  B.  Armstrong,  running  1,200  ahead  of  the  State 
ticket  majority  in  1871,  which  was  1,591.  Commenting 
upon  his  renomi nation,  the  Albany  Evening  Jourtial  paid 
him  this  handsome  tribute : 

"  Senator  Lowery  is  universally  known,  first  of  all,  as  a 
scrupulously  honest  and  upright  representative,  the  inflexi- 
ble foe  of  all  jobbery,  and  the  sworn  enemy  of  the  lobby. 
With  this  most  important  of  qualifications,  he  unites  sound 
judgment,  ample  ability  and  large  acquaintance  with  the 
wants  and  interests  of  the  State.  As  an  influential  member 
of  the  Finance  Committee,  Mr.  Lowery  has  faithfully  co- 
operated in  everj^  effort  to  protect  the  treasury  and  defeat  all 
improper  demands  upon  it.  He  has  met  all  questions  with  a 
conscientious  sense  of  public  duty,  and  his  whole  influence 
and  action  as  a  legislator  have  been  wholesome." 


EDWARD  M.  MADDEN. 


There  are  some  men  who,  remembering  the  implied  injunc- 
tion of  Holy  Writ  contained  in  the  exclamation,  "  I  would 
thou  wert  either  cold  or  hot,"  do  whatsoever  their  hands  find 
to  do  with  unqualified  fervency.  They  recognize  no  such 
things  in  the  world  as  half-truths;  to  them  whatever  is  not 
radically  right  is  radically  wrong,  and  vice  versa.  Their 
trumpets  never  give  forth  an  uncertain  sounder  one  wanting 
in  volume,  and  if  all  the  Jericho  walls  at  which  their  efforts 
are  directed  do  not  tumble,  they  —  gazing  upon  some  stub- 
born piece  of  masonry  on  which  their  trumpeting  makes  no 
impression  —  have  the  consolation  that  goes  with  the  con- 
sciousness of  always  making  a  red-hot  and  never  a  luke- 
warm fight. 

Senator  Madden  belongs  to  this  school  of  men.  He  lias 
decided  convictions,  and  is  very  decided  in  expressing  them. 


84  '  Life  Sketches. 

Once  his  mind  is  made  up,  he  is  extremely  hard  to  move 
from  his  position,  and  whoever  questions  the  faith  that  is  in 
him  is  sure  to  hear  the  reasons  on  which  that  faith  rests 
couched  in  unequivocal  language.    His  aye  and  nay  are  like 


"  When  he  wills,  he  wills,  you  may  depend  on't, 
And  if  he  wont,  he  wont,  so  there's  an  end  on't." 

George  W.  Bukg  ay,  the  poet,  in  a  volume  of  "  Pen  and  Ink 
Portraits,"  issued  in  1857,  has  a  readable  sketch  of  the 
subject  of  this  biography,  from  which  we  take  the  following: 

"  Senator  Maddei^  represents  the  county  of  Orange,  where 
he  was  born,  has  always  lived,  and  where  he  will  probably 
die,  unless  political  events  so  shape  themselves  that  his 
unquenchable  love  of  liberty,  and  intense  hatred  of  slavery, 
should  induce  him  to  leave  his  Lares  and  Penates,  and 
migrate  to  Kansas.*  Like  many  other  men  of  mark,  he  is 
wholly  the  artificer  of  his  own  fortune.  He  had  no  advan- 
tages of  early  education.  From  the  age  of  nine  to  fourteen 
he  commenced  fitting  himself  for  the  great  battle  of  life  as  an 
operative  in  a  cotton  factory;  thence  he  pursued  his  studies 
as  an  apprentice  in  a  tin  shop ;  graduated  in  a  hardware 
store,  and  took  his  final  degree,  as  a  retail  merchant,  at  Mid- 
dletown,  where  he  now  has  a  very  extensive  saw  factory. 
Nature  has  done  much  for  him.  Gifted  with  a  fine  consti- 
tution, his  iron  will,  unbending  energy,  indomitable  perse- 
verance and  unflagging  industry  have  combined  to  make 
him  a  hard  student  and  a  well-read  man.  His  mind  is  well 
stored  with  practical  knowledge,  and  few  men  are  so  thor- 
oughly posted  in  the  political  history  of  our  State  or  country. 
There  is  no  man  in  the  Senate  of  greater  pluck  or  nerve. 
Governed  in  all  his  actions  by  fixed  principles,  nothing  ever 
turns  him  from  his  purpose,  when  his  course  is  once  marked 
out.  The  State  never  had  a  more  watchful  guardian  over 
its  interests.    He  is  extremely  sensitive  and  jealous  about  all 

♦  He  probably  has  given  up  the  idea  of  going  to  Kansas.— [Ed. 


Edward  M.  Madden.  85 

inroads  upon  the  treasury  —  more  so  than  if  it  were  his  own 
private  purse.  His  active  business  habits  make  him  invalu- 
able on  committees,  and  woe  betide  the  unlucky  wight  who 
comes  before  him  with  a  doubtful  claim.  He  participates 
freely  in  all  debates,  dissecting  the  subtleties  and  sophistries 
of  lawyers  with  the  sharp  scalpel  of  common  sense.  He  is  a 
nervous,  rapid  speaker,  and  no  man  in  the  Senate  is  more 
earnest,  energetic,  forcible  or  convincing.  He  goes  in  a 
straight  geometrical  line  right  to  the  point,  without  any 
flowers  of  rhetoric,  but  with  a  directness  that  there  is  no 
mistaking.  He  uses  no  pearls  of  poetry,  or  flights  of  fancy, 
but  deals  altogether  in  the  purest  and  strongest  Anglo-Saxon. 
He  always  votes  in  accordance  with  his  convictions.  No 
motives  of  policy,  expediency  or  interest;  no  regard  for 
individuals  or  localities ;  no  personal  friendships,  can  make 
him  swerve  one  hair's  breadth  from  his  line  of  duty.  He 
engages  in  no  *  log  rolling,'  never  aiding  any  project  of  doubt- 
ful propriety  to  secure  assistance  in  measures  of  real  merit." 

Senator  Madden  was  formerly  a  Democrat,  and  was  elected 
to  the  Senate  in  1856-7  as  an  an ti- Nebraska  man.  He  was 
Chairman  of  the  Insurance  Committee  in  that  body,  and  a 
member  of  the  Finance,  Claims,  and  Commerce  and  Naviga- 
tion Committees.  He  made  a  good  record,  proving  himself 
to  be  a  strong,  popular,  earnest  man.  He  was  elected  to  the 
last  Senate  by  a  majority  of  2,085  over  his  opponent,  George 
M.  Beebe,  a  member  of  the  present  Assembly. 

In  the  election  for  Senator  in  the  Tenth  district,  in  Novem- 
ber last,  the  board  of  canvassers  gave  the  certificate  to  Fbank 
Abbott,  thereby  declaring  him  elected,  and  Mr.  Madden, 
his  opponent,  defeated.  Mr.  Madden  claimed  that  the 
inspectors  wrongfully  rejected  two  sets  of  returns  from  Sul- 
livan county,  whose  admission  would  have  made  him  the 
sitting  member  for  the  Tenth  district.  His  petition,  claim- 
ing the  seat,  was  referred  to  the  Committee  on  Privileges  and 
Elections  of  the  Senate,  who  presented  a  majority  report, 
recommending  that  the  seat  be  awarded  to  Mr.  Madden.    A 


86  Life  Sketches. 

minority  report,  recommending  that,  pending  a  thorough 
investigation,  Mr.  Abbott  retain  his  seat,  was  also  presented. 
The  Senate,  after  an  exciting  debate,  adopted  the  majority- 
report,  wherenpon  Mr.  Maddei^t  appeared,  was  sworn  in, 
and  took  his  seat. 

Mr.  Madden  has  great  personal  strength  in  the  Tenth 
district,  otherwise  he  could  not  so  often  orercome  the  fre- 
quently adverse  majority  in  his  own  county.  He  is  always 
careful  of  the  interests  of  his  constituents,  and,  as  we  have 
already  indicated,  frank  and  fearless  in  the  expression  of  his 
own  views  on  all  questions  which  bear  upon  the  interests  of 
the  whole  State.  • 


ARCHIBALD  C.  McGO WAIST. 


Archibald  0.  McGowai^  was  born  in  Pownal,  Benning- 
ton county,  Vt.,  August  26,  1825.  His  grandfather,  James 
McGowAN,  was  born  in  Scotland  in  1750,  and  emigrated 
to  the  Colonies  before  the  Ee volution.  He  served  in 
the  Continental  army  and  participated  in  the  battle  of  Ben- 
nington. Before  the  war  he  settled  in  Hoosick,  Eenssalaer 
Co.,  where  Clark  McGowais",  the  father  of  Archibald,  was 
born.  The  parents  of  the  Senator  died  while  he  was  an 
infant,  leaving  him  an  orphan  and  the  youngest  of  the 
femily.  He  was  taken  in  charge  by  his  relatives  and  given 
a  common  school  education.  At  the  age  of  jL7  years  he 
obtained  employment  as  a  clerk  and  procured  the  means  to 
attend  the  Jonesville  Academy,  in  Saratoga  county.  After 
leaving  school  he  returned  to  his  employment  as  a  clerk  and 
followed  it  for  a  few  years,  and  then  engaged  in  business  for 
himself  as  a  merchant,  also  attending  to  and  carrying  on 
ths  business  of  farmer,  boat  builder,  and  dealer  in  lumber 
aiid  coal.    At  the  age  of  25  he  was  married  to  Miss  Mary 


Archibald  C.  McGowax.  87 

Louisa  Rogers,  daughter  of  H.  H.  Rogers,  of  Saratoga 
county,  and  his  partner  in  business  for  many  years. 

The  Senator,  in  politics,  was  a  Democrat  until  1856,  when 
he  Yoted  for  Millard  Fillmore,  but  in  1858  united  with  the 
Republican  party,  to  which  party  he  has  ever  since  adhered. 
He  represented  the  town  of  Frankfort  in  the  Board  of 
Supervisors  of  Herkimer  county,  for  several  years,  and  in 
18C2  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Assembly  from  the 
county  and  served  on  the  committee  on  canals.  At  the 
Assembly  District  Convention,  1863,  he  was  tendered  a 
renomination,  which  he  declined,  and  the  following  resolu- 
tions were  unanimously  adopted  by  the  Convention : 

Resolvedf  That  this  Convention  cordially  endorses  the 
ofl&cial  course  of  Hon.  A.  C.  McGowan,  as  the  Representa- 
tive of  the  2d  District  of  Herkimer  county  in  the  State 
Assembly  at  its  last  session ;  that  we  are  proud  of  the  past; 
that  amid  so  general  corruption  in  that  Assembly,  he  stood 
pure  and  firm  against  all  the  seductive  inlluences  around 
him,  and  came  back  to  us  with  an  unimpeached  integritv; 
that  we  especially  indorse  the  course  he  pursued  on  tlie 
Broadway  Rail  Road  and  Erie  Canal  Lock  questions,  and 
the  vote  he  cast  relative  to  those  measures,  and  we  view 
with  reprehension  the  attempts  that  were  made  to  damage 
his  reputation  as  a  member  of  that  Assembly,  in  consequence 
of  the  correct  views  he  expressed  and  the  sound  policy  he 
adopted  respecting  tlie  great  Canal  interests  of  our  State. 

In  1865  he  was  again  sent  to  the  Assembly  from  the  same 
District  and  served  on  the  Committees  on  Census  and  Ap- 
portionment, Engrossed  Bills  and  was  the  Chairman  of  the 
Joint  Library  Committee.  His  official  course  in  that 
session  was  such  that  when  he  returned  home,  his  conduct 
was  cordially  indorsed  by  his  constituents.  He  has  several 
times  represented  his  party  in  State  Conventions. 

At  the  County  Convention  held  at  Herkimer,  in  1869, 
delegates  favorable  to  his  nomination  for  Senator  in  the  20th 
Senatorial  District  were  unanimously  chosen  and  the  follow- 
ing resolutions  passed : 


88  Life  Sketches. 

Resolved,  That  appreciating  political  integrity  and  moral 
worth,  and  pointing  with  pride  to  the  course  of  A.  0. 
McGrOWAK  during  his  service  of  two  years  in  the  Assembly 
of  the  State,  we  do  hereby  present  him  to  the  Delegates  of 
the  Eepublican  Union  Senatorial  Convention  to  be  held  at 
Eichfield  Springs,  October  8th,  as  a  gentleman  of  ability 
and  of  integrity,  unassailable  either  in  his  private  or  official 
life,  and  as  a  most  fitting  representative  of  the  Republicans 
in  this  District  in  the  next  Senate. 

Resolved,  That,  challenging  the  closest  scrutiny  of  the 
entire  career  of  the  Hon.  A.  C.  McGowak,  we  do  hereby 
name  him  as  our  choice  for  next  Senator  for  this  district, 
and  for  the  purpose  of  furthering  this  end  to  the  interest  of 
the  whole  people,  and  with  the  purpose  to  attest  our  appre- 
ciation of  his  honest,  tried,  official  life,  we  do  hereby  appoint 
our  delegates  to  the  convention  above  named,  relying  upon 
their  fidelity  to  carry  out  the  wishes  hereby  expressed. 

At  the  Senatorial  Convention  held  soon  thereafter,  the 
delegates  from  Herkimer  county,  in  accordance  with  those 
resolutions,  presented  the  name  of  the  Hon.  A.  C.  McGowak, 
and  the  Otsego  delegates  presented  the  name  of  the  Hon.  A. 
B.  Ellwood,  and,  each  county  having  the  same  number  of 
delegates,  the  balloting  stood  a  tie  between  them  for  a  great 
number  of  times.  Otsego  county  claimed  the  candidate  to 
be  located  in  said  county,  according  to  the  established  usages 
of  the  party,  and,  by  his  request,  Mr.  McGowan's  delegates 
withdrew  his  name  from  the  canvass,  and  Mr.  Ellwood  was , 
unanimously  nominated. 

At  the  next  Senatorial  nominating  convention  held  in  1871, 
Mr.  McGowAK  was  again  the  unanimous  choice  of  his  own 
county  for  senator,  and,  after  a  few  complimentary  votes  for 
Mr.  Ellwood  by  Otsego  delegates,  his  name  was  withdrawn, 
and  Mr.  McGowak  received  a  unanimous  nomination. 

The  Journal  and  Courier,  the  leading  Eepublican  paper 
published  at  Little  Falls,  indorsed  his  nomination  in  the 
following  editorial : 

"  Of  Mr.  McGowAif,  it  is  hardly  necessary  to  record  our 
indorsement.  He  has  long  been  known  to  the  people  of  this 
county.     He  has  been  tried,  and  found  not  wanting,  in  those 


Archibald  C.  McGowan,  89 

sterling  qualities  which  endear  a  representative  to  his  con- 
stituents. Mr.  McGowAN  is  emphatically  a  self-made  man. 
Thrown  upon  his  own  resources  at  an  early  age,  he  has  won 
his  way  to  a  proud  position  in  the  esteem  of  the  people  of  tliis 
locality.  For  several  years  he  was  a  member  of  the  Board 
of  Supervisors  of  the  county,  and  for  two  terms  he  repre- 
sented his  district  in  the  Assembly  of  the  State,  in  each  posi- 
tion performing  his  duties  faithfully,  without  even  the  breath 
of  suspicion  upon  his  integrity,  ana  with  that  respect  of  his 
associates  which  intelligence  and  uprightness  always  com- 
mand.''! 

The  Richfield  Springs  Mercury^  a  leading  and  influential 
paper  of  Otsego  county  (neutral  in  politics),  gave  him  the 
following  handsome  compliment: 

"  Mr.  McGowAN  is  a  gentleman  of  fine  abilities.  He  is  what 
may  be  called  a  worker  in  his  party.  He  represented  Herki- 
mer county  in  the  legislative  halls,  and  returned  to  his  con- 
stituents with  a  clean  record.  He  is  a  gentleman  who  frowns 
upon  stealing  in  high  or  low  places,  and  we  believe  him  to 
be  incorruptible  in  private  or  public  life.  He  is  a  man  of 
sterling  worth  and  will  honor  his  district.  We  do  not  intend 
to  take  up  the  political  gauntlet,  but  we  have  said  this  much 
for  Mr.  McGowAN,  for  we  know  whereof  we  speak,  having 
had  a  personal  acquaintance  with  him  for  the  past  seventeen 
years.    We  hope  he  will  have  a  rousing  majority." 

John  F.  Scott,  a  wealthy  and  popular  man,  who,  by  a 
wide  circle  of  acquaintances,  was  well  known  in  Otsego 
county,  was  the  opposing  candidate.  He  threw  his  whole 
strength  into  the  contest,  and  made  an  active  and  stirring 
canvass  against  Mr.  McGowan,  and  carried  his  own  county 
by  a  majority  of  680.  But  Mr.  McGowan  was  so  popular  in 
his  own  county,  and  his  public  record  so  clear,  that  he 
received  a  majority  of  1323,  the  highest  given  to  any  candi- 
date on  the  ticket  in  that  canvass  in  the  county,  and  was 
elected.  He  was  placed  on  five  committees.  Canals,  Salt, 
Agriculture,  Select  Committee  of  Nine,  General  Orders  and 
Congressional  Apportionment.  He  was  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  on  Agriculture,  and  it  was  through  him  as  such 


90  Life  Sketches. 

Chairman  that  all  the  Agricultural   Societies   of  the  State 
presented  their  affairs  to  the  Senate. 

.  His  official  course  during  his  entire  Senatorial  term  was  so 
satisfactory  to  his  constituents,  that,  at  the  Senatorial  Con- 
vention in  1873,  to  nominate  a  candidate,  Otsego  county- 
yielded  her  claims,  and  Mr.  McGowait  received  the  high 
compliment  of  a  renomination  for  another  Senatorial  term. 
The  opposing  candidate  this  time  was  David  A.  Aveky,  of 
Cooperstown,  a  popular  banker  of  that  place.  There  was  a 
full  State  ticket  in  the  field  which  called  out  a  full  vote,  and 
Mr.  Avery  with  his  friends  entered  on  the  canvass  with 
much  zeal.  But  Mr.  McGowAiS"  had  so  well  established  his 
reputation  as  a  wise  and  careful  legislator,  and  kept  his 
record  so  clear,  that  the  majority  in  Otsego  county  against 
him  was  reduced  to  about  200,  and  he  was  triumphantly 
re-elected  to  the  Senate.  He  ran  ahead  of  his  own  ticket  i^i 
both  counties.  His  "feuccess  demonstrates  that  honesty,  even 
in  politics,  is  the  best  policy. 


ANDEEW  C.  MIDDLETOK 


Akdeew  C.  MiDDLETOi^"  represents  the  eighteenth  Sena- 
torial district,  composed  of  the  counties  of  Jefferson  and  Lewis. 
His  father,  Samuel  Middleto]!^-,  was  born  in  the  town  of 
Charleston,  Montgomery  county,  in  the  year  1796.  He  moved 
to  Rutland,  Jefferson  county,  in  the  spring  of  1807,  and  in 
the  fall  of  the  same  year  settled  on  the  farm  where  he  con- 
tinued to  reside  until  his  death  in  November,  1873,  a  period 
of  sixty-six  years.  In  those  days  of  restlessness,  when  the 
first  of  each  recurring  May  means  moving  to  so  many 
Americans,  the  fact  of  a  man's  living  in  the  same  place  for 
the  space  of  sixty-six  years  is  indeed  noteworthy.  Seraph 
MiDDLETON",  the  mother  of  the  Senator,  was  born  in  Rut- 


Andrew  C.  Middleton.  91 

land  in  1802,  and  was  married  to  Samuel  Middleton 
April  26,  1821.  A  family  of  six  children  was  the  fruit  of 
the  union,  all  of  whom  are  living,  with  the  exception  of 
one  daughter. 

Andrew,  the  second  son,  was  horn  April  5,  1824.  He 
was  brought  up  on  a  farm,  and  has  always  made  farming  his 
main  business.  He  received  a  common  school  and  academic 
education,  and  after  ceasing  to  be  taught,  continued  in 
school  as  a  teacher  for  a  number  of  winters.  In  1849  he 
became  Town  Superintendent  of  common  schools,  a  position 
which  he  filled  satisfactorily  for  two  years.  In  the  year  1858 
he  was  elected  Supervisor  for  the  town  of  Rutland,  and  was 
continued  as  such  during  the  two  following  years.  Again, 
in  1868,  he  occupied  the  same  position.  During  the  war  he 
was  appointed  Deputy  Collector  of  Internal  Revenue.  For 
the  years  1872  and  1873  he  was  President  of  the  Jefferson 
County  Farmers*  Club.  This  record  of  service  indicates 
that  the  Senator  is  held  in  high  esteem  by  his  neighbors  and 
friends.  Mr.  Middleton  is  prominently  identified  with  the 
Grange  organization  in  this  State,  and  at  a  meeting  of  the 
Independent  Grangers  of  New  York,  held  in  Albany  on  the 
4th  of  March,  he  was  honored  by  being  elected  President  of 
the  State  Council. 

Senator  Middleton  cast  his  first  vote  in  the  fall  of  1845 
in  favor  of  the  Whig  ticket,  and  a  Whig  he  remained  until 
the  organization  of  the  Republican  party.  In  our  later 
politics  he  has  cast  his  vote  for  Fremont,  Lincoln  and 
Grant. 

The  nomination  which  resulted  in  the  election  of  Mr. 
Middleton  to  the  Senate  was  made  October  20,  1873,  by 
a  convention  of  farmers  in  the  interest  of  reform,  and  bent 
on  furthering  the  cause  of  the  industrial  classes.  The  call 
for  the  Convention  was  signed  by  over  one  hundred 
practical  farmers.  The  Democratic  Senatorial  Convention 
which  met  soon  after  resolved  not  to  make  any  nomination 
but  earnestly   recommended   the   Democratic   and   Liberal 


92  Life  Sketches. 

Eepublicau  electors  of  the  District  "  to  vote  for  the  farmers' 
and  industrial  men's  candidate."  Mr.  Middleton"  was 
elected  by  a  majority  of  903  over  Nokris  Wikslow,  who 
had  been  chosen  to  the  previous  Senate  by  a  majority  of  1,771. 
Mr.  MiDDLETOi^  is  very  properly  placed  at  the  head  of  the 
Committee  on  Agriculture.  He  is  also  a  member  of  the 
Committees  on  Public  Expenditures  and  Grievances. 


HUGH  H.  MOORE. 


The  eighth  Senatorial  district,  composed  of  the  twelfth, 
nineteenth  and  twenty-second  wards  of  the  city  of  New  York, 
is  represented  by  Hugh  H.  Moore.  Mr.  Moore  has  been 
prevented  by  ill  health  from  taking  his  seat  this  session, 
except  on  the  occasion  of  his  being  sworn  in.  His  seat  is 
now  (March  1st)  being  contested  by  Walter  S.  Pii^ckney, 
his  Eepublicau  competitor  in  the  late  canvass.  His  other 
competitor  was  Robert  McCafferty,  Apollo  Hall  Demo- 
crat.    He  was  elected  by  a  plurality  of  254. 

Senator  Moore  has  long  been  recognized  as  a  hard-working 
politician.  At  present  he  is  a  member  of  the  Tammany 
Hall  General  Committee.  In  business  circles  he  is  well 
known  as  an  extensive  contractor. 


RO SWELL  A,  Parmenter,  93 


ROSWELL  A.  PARMENTER. 


The  twelfth  Senatorial  district,  consisting  of  the  counties 
of  Rensselaer  and  "Washington,  is  represented  by  Roswell 
A.  Parmenter.  j" 

Mr.  Parmenter  is  the  eldest  son  of  the  late  Dr.  Azel  F. 
Parmenter,  was  born  in  Pittstown,  Rensselaer  county,  is 
now  about  forty-five  years  of  age,  and  in  the  full  strength 
of  useful  manhood.  He  is  emphatically  a  self-made  man, 
and  never  received  a  dollar  that  was  not  earned  by  hard 
labor.  In  boyhood  he  worked  upon  a  farm  for  wages, 
and  in  the  winter  seasons  taught  school  to  defray  the 
expenses  of  his  education ;  and  few  men  have  been  more 
thoroughly  educated  in  the  natural  sciences  and  in  the 
classics  than  he.  Coming  to  Troy  about  the  year  1848,  with 
scarcely  an  acquaintance  in  the  city,  he  soon  made  his  way, 
formed  a  copartnership  with  the  late  Judge  McConihe,  and 
rapidly  built  up  a  large  and  lucrative  practice.  He  entered 
at  once  on  the  trial  of  his  own  causes,  without  falling  into 
the  common  error  of  young  lawyers,  of  employing  assistant 
counsel,  and  on  appeal  to  the  General  Term  and  Court  of 
Appeals  argued  his  causes  in  those  courts  with  the  first 
lawyers  in  the  State  as  adversaries.  By  such  means  he 
acquired  that  experience  and  thorough  use  of  every  legal 
weapon  that  have  since  made  him  so  distinguished  as  a  suc- 
cessful lawyer  and  advocate. 

In  the  celebrated  case  of  the  Corn  Exchange  Insurance 
Company  against  Babcock,  argued  by  Mr.  Parmenter  in 
the  Court  of  Appeals,  a  few  years  ago,  that  court  paid  him 
the  high  compliment  of  adopting  his  points  as  the  law  gov- 
erning the  case,  thus  settling  forever  in  this  State  the  long 
agitated  and  vexed  question  as  to  the  legal  liability  of  a 
married  woman  as  indorser  for  her  husband.     Mr.  Parmen- 


94  Life  Sketches. 

TER  also  received  a  letter  of  thanks  and  congratulation  from 
many  of  the  leading  lawyers  of  the  State,  for  his  efforts  in 
procuring  the  satisfactory  settlement  of  that  highly  impor- 
tant and  most  vexatious  question.  Aside  from  his  legal 
ability  and  acquirements,  Mr.  Parmenter  is  a  man  of  exten- 
sive reading  and  information,  of  great  diversity  of  talent, 
with  a  mind  cultivated  by  the  refinements  of  literature,  and 
enlarged  and  matured  by  study  and  reflection.  He  has  fre- 
quently been  invited  to  address  literary  associations,  but  has 
never  accepted  the  invitation  except  upon  two  or  three 
occasions,  the  habits  of  his  mind  being  too  severely  logical 
to  make  that  kind  of  composition  attractive  to  his  tastes. 
Mr.  Parmenter  has  often  been  designated  by  the  Democratic 
State  Central  Committee  as  one  of  the  public  speakers,  and 
in  that  capacity  has  on  many  occasions  addressed  the  people 
upon  the  political  issues  of  the  day,  at  their  mass  meetings 
in  different  parts  of  the  State  ;  and  last  fall,  at  the  request  of 
the  Liberal  llepublican  State  Central  Committee,  he  devoted 
two  or  three  weeks  to  the  same  object.  And  when  the 
South  raised  its  parricidal  hand  against  the  life  of  the  nation, 
Mr.  Parmenter  did  not  hesitate  as  to  his  course,  nor  stand 
idly  by.  He  subscribed  largely  to  aid  the  raising  of  recruits 
for  the  Federal  army,  and  to  the  Soldiers'  Eelief  Fund.  Nor 
did  his  assistance  stop  here  ;  he  traveled  over  the  State, 
making  war  speeches  at  many  of  the  large  meetings  held  for 
the  purpose  of  encouraging  enlistments;  and  his  lengthy 
and  telling  speech  at  the  immense  war  meeting  in  Seminary 
Park,  in  Troy,  during  a  dark  period  in  our  national  affairs, 
is  still  fresh  in  the  minds  of  those  who  heard  it. 

As  a  political  speaker  Mr.  Parmenter  is  earnest,  forcible 
and  entertaining.  Full  of  ideas  and  anecdote,  clear  and 
logical  in  argument,  quick  to  catch  the  humor  of  the  crowd 
and  turn  it  to  advantage,  fluent  and  apt  at  illustration,  he 
never  fails  to  hold  his  audience.  Besides,  as  we  have  said,  he 
is  an  unflagging  worker.  The  amount  of  professional  toil  that 
he  has  performed  within  the  last  twenty  years  bears  witness  to 


Benjamin  Ray.  95 

this  fact.  As  no  member  of  the  Troy  bar  has  a  larger  or 
more  important  practice,  so  none  devotes  more  hours  to  the 
stern  demands  of  his  profession.  Mr.  Parmexter  is  now 
City  Attorney  of  that  city.  "When  appointed  to  that  respon- 
sible office,  in  the  spring  of  1871,  he  found  a  vast  number 
of  important  suits  pending  against  the  city,  some  of  which 
had  been  upon  the  calendar  for  years,  involving  in  the  aggre- 
gate about  150,000.  With  his  usual  zeal  and  energy  he  set 
about  the  herculean  task  of  freeing  the  city  from  this  enor- 
mous load  of  litigation,  and  succeeded  so  well  that  in  two 
years  he  had  disposed  of  forty  cases,  two  of  which  had  each 
occupied  over  thirty  days  in  preparation,  in  taking  evidence 
and  in  summing  up.  For  these  successful  and  arduous  official 
duties  he  received  the  public  acknowledgments  of  Mayor 
Kemp,  a  political  opponent,  and  a  unanimous  vote  of  thanks 
from  the  common  council. 

Mr.  Parmenter  was  elected  to  the  Senate  after  an  exciting 
and  closely  contested  canvass,  beating  his  opponent,  Hon. 
I.  V.  Baker,  Jr.,  who  was  chosen  to  the  last  Senate  by  a 
majority  of  4,458,  by  828.  He  is  a  member  of  the  committees 
on  Canals,  Literature,  and  Engrossed  Bills. 


BENJAMIN  RAY. 


The  eleventh  Senatorial  district,  consisting  of  the  counties 
of  Columbia  and  Dutchess,  is  represented  by  Benjamin 
Ray,  of  Hudson,  who  is  well  known  in  the  eastern  section 
of  the  State  as  a  sound  and  trustworthy  member  of  the 
Democracy.  His  father.  Captain  Samuel  Ray,  was  a  native 
of  Dutchess  county,  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  and 
a  prominent  man  of  his  time.  Benjamin  was  born  in  the 
city  of  Hudson  in  1819,  and  descended  from  Scotch-Irish 
stock.  In  early  life  he  commenced  boating  on  the  river,  and 
followed  this  until   about   sixteen   years   of  age,  when  he 


96  Life  Sketches. 

apprenticed  himself  to  a  blacksmith  in  New  York  city.  It  was 
here  that  he  first  realized  the  importance  of  gaining  an  educa- 
tion, and  accordingly  he  devoted  himself  to  its  acquisition  with 
all  his  youthful  ardor,  and  laid  the  foundation  for  that  general 
information  on  important  topics,  which  has  so  well  qualified 
him  for  the  prominent  positions  he  has  since  filled.  During 
the  winter  months  he  attended  select  schools,  paying  for  his 
tuition  from  his  scanty  earnings,  and  passed  his  evenings  in 
hard  study  in  his  room,  the  small  hours  of  morning  frequently 
finding  him  poring  over  his  books,  or  elucidating  some  difficult 
problem.  His  general  reading  was  confined  to  works  treating 
of  the  lives  of  public  men,  and  the  theories  of  government. 
Thus  the  future  legislator  passed  the  weary  years  of  his 
apprenticeship,  and  soon  after  he  reached  his  majority  he 
entered  the  establishment  of  E.  L.  Stevens,  the  celebrated 
boiler  and  boat  builder.  While  employed  here,  Mr.  Ray 
superintended  the  construction  of  the  largest  iron  steamship 
that  had  been  built  at  that  time,  and  won  considerable  fame 
by  his  achievement. 

In  the  fall  of  1849,  at  the  breaking  out  of  the  "gold 
fever,"  Mr.  Ray  went  to  California,  where  he  remained  for 
four  years.  San  Francisco  was  then  a  place  of  lawlessness 
and  disorder,  and  the  lives  and  property  of  the  citizens  were 
at  the  mercy  of  the  mob.  Mr.  Ray  was  appointed  the  first 
Chief  of  Police,  and  organized  the  first  police  force  and  the 
first  fire  department  in  the  "City  of  the  Pacific,"  and  so 
thoroughly  did  he  perform  his  work,  that  both  departments 
are  still  conducted  upon  the  admirable  system  he  adopted.  It 
was  an  arduous  task  to  subdue  the  army  of  roughs  from  all 
quarters  of  the  globe  that  then  infested  the  new  settlement, 
but  Mr.  Ray  proved  equal  to  the  emergency,  and  soon  suc- 
ceeded in  bringing  order  out  of  confusion  and  compelling  a 
due  obedience  to  the  laws.  While  in  the  performance  of 
these  duties,  he  was  seriously  injured  by  the  infuriated  mob, 
and  for  some  time  his  life  was  despaired  of 

He  was  subsequently  appointed  to  the  office  of  Inspector 


Benjamin  Ray.  97 

of  Steam  Vessels  for  the  Territory  of  California,  and  so  well 
did  he  perform  his  duties,  that  after  it  was  admitted  as  a 
State,  he  was  tendered  the  same  position  by  the  general 
government,  under  President  Taylor's  administration,  al- 
though a  prominent  and  active  Democrat.  Business  calling 
him  to  the  Atlantic  States,  he  declined  the  place. 

In  1853,  Mr.  Ray  returned  to  New  York  city,  where  he 
hold  various  offices  of  public  trust,  among  others,  that  of 
official  appraiser  for  the  city  and  county  of  New  York,  hav- 
ing in  charge  the  adjustment  and  appraisement  of  estates  of 
deceased  persons,  many  of  them  of  vast  amounts  and  in- 
volving great  responsibilities;  but  in  the  settlement  of  these 
large  and  in  some  cases  complicated  interests,  not  a  dollar 
was  ever  misapplied  or  lost,  and  no  difficulty  ever  arose 
between  the  appraiser  and  the  executors. 

In  1855,  Mr.  Ray  was  elected  to  the  State  Assembly  from 
the  Second  district  of  New  York  city,  and  served  his  term 
with  conceded  ability.  His  constituents  would  gladly  have  re- 
turned him  for  many  successive  years,  but  important  business 
interests  at  that  time  prevented  him  from  accepting  the 
honors. 

A  few  years  ago  he  resumed  his  residence  in  Hudson,  and 
in  1870  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  from  this  district,  and  so 
faithfully  did  he  serve  his  constituents  that  he  was  re-elected 
in  1871  and  1872. 

Having  proved  capable  and  faithful  in  the  performance  of 
the  public  trusts  already  imposed  upon  him,  an  appreciative 
people  selected  him  for  still  higher  honors  and  more 
important  trusts,  and  hence  his  election  to  the  Senate.  He 
ran  against  John"  0.  Hogeboom  and  was  chosen  by  a  ma- 
jority of  1,945.  In  1871,  the  Republican  majority  of  A.  W- 
Palmer,  his  predecessor  in  the  Senate,  was  8,572.  Mh 
Ray's  voice  is  not  often  heard  in  debate,  but  he  is  capable 
of  making  a  speech  when  he  elects  so  to  do.  He  is  thorough- 
ly informed  on  all  the  details  of  legislation. 
13 


98  Life  Sketches, 


WILLIAM  H.  ROBERTSON. 


The  ninth  Senatorial  district,  consisting  of  the  counties 
of  Putnam,  Kockland  and  Westchester,  is  represented  by 
William  H.  RoBERTSOi^,  of  Katonah,  Westchester  county, 
one  of  the  most  able  and  dignified  members  of  the  present 
Senate,  and  its  President  j^ro  tern.  He  was  born  at  Bedford, 
in  the  county  in  which  he  now  resides,  October  10, 1823.  His 
father,  Henry  Robertson^,  who  was  born  in  1791,  at  Bed- 
ford, is  still  living.  After  pursuing  his  preliminary  studies 
at  Union  Academy,  Bedford,  he  read  law,  and  in  1847  was 
admitted  to  the  bar. 

The  Senator  has  had  a  long  and  honorable  career  as  a 
public  man.  The  confidence  so  often  reposed  in  him  by  the 
people  has  never  been  violated ;  the  interests  committed  to 
his  hands  never  neglected.  Beginning  as  Town  Superin- 
tendent of  the  Bedford  Common  Schools,  he  subsequently 
served  for  four  years  as  Supervisor^  and  on  two  occasions  was 
Chairman  of  the  Board  —  the  only  Republican  who  ever  held 
that  position.  Rising  rapidly  in  his  profession,  he  was  early 
elected  County  Judge  of  Westchester,  and  served  in  that 
capacity  for  three  terms,  twelve  years. 

His  experience  as  a  legislator  has  been  long  and  varied. 
He  represented  Westchester  county  in  the  Assembly,  in 
1849  and  1850;  and  the  ninth  Senatorial  district  in  the 
Senate  of  1854-55.  Later  he  was  a  representative  in  the 
fortieth  Congress.  In  politics  Mr.  Robertsois"  is  a  represen- 
tative Republican,  and  has  long  been  prominently  identified 
with  the  organization  of  his  choice.  Until  the  year  1855  he 
was  a  Whig,  and  since  that  date  has  given  his  vote  and 
influence  to  the  party  to  which  he  now  belongs.  For  three 
years  he  was  a  member  of  the  Republican  State  Committee, 


WiLLiAJf  H.  Robertson.  99 

and  in  1864  attended  the  Republican  N^ational  Convention  as 
a  delegate.  He  has  also  on  many  occasions  attended  the 
Whig  and  Republican  State  Conventions  as  delegate. 

The  Senator  did  efficient  service  during  the  late  war.  He 
was  Chairman  of  the  Military  Committee  appointed  by 
Governor  Morgan,  in  1862,  to  raise  and  organize  State 
troops  in  the  eighth  Senatorial  district.  Later  on  he  filled 
the  important  position  of  Commissioner  to  superintend  the 
draft  in  Westchester  count}^  under  an  appointment  of  the 
Governor.  For  six  years  he  was  Brigade  Inspector  of  the 
Seventh  Brigade,  New  York  State  National  Guard. 

He  was  elected  to  the  last  Senate  by  a  most  flattering  vote. 
Running  in  a  strong  Democratic  district,  his  defeat  would 
have  been  a  matter  of  course,  had  he  not  been  conspicuous 
for  his  great  ability,  and  as  popular  as  he  was  worthy.  As  it 
was,  he  received  a  handsome  majority  in  every  town  of  West- 
chester, and  succeeded  in  carrying  Rockland  and  Putnam 
counties  as  well  —  his  total  majority  being  5,851  over  William 
Cauldwell,  who  had  been  chosen  to  the  preceding  Senate 
by  a  majority  of  2,274. 

In  the  fall  of  1872  the  Senator's  name  was  among  the  fore- 
most of  those  presented  at  the  Utica  Republican  Convention 
for  the  office  of  Governor.  As  soon,  however,  as  it  was 
found  that  General  Dix  would  accept  the  nomination,  it  was 
withdrawn  in  the  interests  of  harmony. 

The  Senator  was  elected  to  the  present  Senate  by  a  majority 
of  2,364  —  figures  that  indicate  great  personal  popularity  in 
a  district  giving  a  large  Democratic  majority  on  the  State 
ticket.  The  New  York  Commercial,  in  commenting  upon 
his  election,  justly  observed:  "There  must  be  some  thing 
most  extraordinary  in  a  man's  character,  who  can  break 
down  a  Democratic  majority  of  two  or  three  thousand  in  his 
district  on  every  occasion  he  is  made  a  candidate,  and  carry 
it  in  his  favor  by  the  same  majority."  Senator  Robertson 
was  chosen  President  pro  tern,  of  the  Senate  by  a  unanimous 
vote.    Senator  Woodin,  who  held  the  position  in  the  last 


100  Life  Sketches. 

Senate,  moved  the  nomination  in  caucus  and  the  resolution 
of  election,  and  it  had  the  cordial  approval  of  every  Eepub- 
lican  Senator.  The  concurrence  of  the  Democratic  Senators 
was  a  handsome  personal  tribute  and  a  graceful  testimony  to 
the  esteem  in  which  Senator  EoBERTSOi^  is  held.  He  has 
had  long  experience  in  parliamentary  practice,  and  makes  an 
admirable  presiding  officer. 

Senator  Eobertsoi^  has  rendered  the  State  signal  service 
this  year  as  Chairman  of  the  Judiciary  Committee,  lie  has 
proved  himself  an  unrelenting  foe  of  hasty  and  improvident 
legislation,  and  has  strangled  many  a  measure  which,  but  for 
his  challenge,  might  have  succeeded  in  getting  upon  the 
statute  book. 


JOHN  H.  SELKREG. 


Mr.  Selkreg  has  been  a  practical  printer j  and,  conse- 
quently, has  had  all  the  varieties  of  experience  and  change 
appertaining  to  that  occupation.  He  is  editor  and  proprietor 
of  the  Ithaca  Journal,  a  paper  which  has  effectively  aided  in 
the  achievement  of  many  a  hard-fought  battle.  He  has 
published  the  Journal  since  1841. 

He  was  born  in  Staatsburgh,  Dutchess  county,  in  1817. 
His  parents  died  when  he  was  a  mere  boy  (the  youngest  of  a 
family  of  five  children),  and  left  him  to  the  care  of  the  older 
members  of  the  family.  He  never  attended  school  after  he 
was  eleven  years  old,  and  what  little  education  he  had  gained 
up  to  that  time  had  been  acquired  in  the  district  school  at 
Staatsburgh.  His  disposition,  at  the  age  of  thirteen,  rather 
inclined  to  printing  as  an  occupation ;  therefore,  having  left 
his  brother-in-law,  with  whom  he  had  been  living,  he  began 
an  apprenticeship  in  the  printing  office  of  the  Poughkeepsie 
Telegraph,  then  published  by  Messrs.  Killey  &  Low,  and 
which  was  at  that  time  the  Democratic  organ  of  Dutchess 


John  H.  Selkreg.*  '    '    >  '  ioi 

county.  He  continued  there  until  the  year  1838.  Having 
arrived  at  that  point  where  he  thought  himself  sufficiently 
proficient  to  commence  life  on  his  own  responsibility,  he 
became  a  resident  of  Brooklyn,  and,  there  entered  into  a 
partnership  with  the  firm  of  Messrs.  Arnold,  Van  Anden 
&  Co.,  publishers  of  the  Brooklyn  Eagle.  Not  being  entirely 
satisfied  with  his  business  relations,  he  returned  to  Pough- 
keepsie  in  1839,  and  published  the  Poughkeepksie  Casket,  a 
literary  paper. 

Two  years  subsequently,  he  purchased  an  interest  in  the 
Ithaca  Journal,  and,  in  connection  with  Hon.  A.  Wells, 
continued  its  publication  for  several  years.  He  afterward 
became  sole  proprietor  of  the  establishment. 

The  Ithaca  Journal  was  once  a  Democratic  organ  of  Tomp- 
kins county.  In  1848,  Mr.  Selkreq  refused  to  support  Mr. 
Cass,  and  ran  up  Mr.  Van  Buren's  name.  The  Hunkers 
established  the  Flag  of  the  Union  to  break  down  the 
Jmirnal;  but,  not  succeeding  in  the  attempt,  the  "  Flag"  was 
lowered,  and  the  Journal  still  continued  to  be  the  exponent 
of  the  Democracy.  From  the  year  1850  to  1856,  Mr.  Selk- 
reg  saw  that  a  great  change  was  being  wrought  in  the 
Democratic  party.  The  repeal  of  the  Missouri  compromise 
seemed  to  him  an  outrage  upon  political  honor.  Such  was 
the  drift  of  affairs,  he  refused  to  support  Buchanan,  and 
advocated  the  claims  of  Fremont,  thus  undoubtedly  carry- 
ing over  the  county  to  the  "  Path  Finder,"  inasmuch  as  the 
Republican  vote  ran  up,  in  a  single  year,  from  1,460  to  4,030. 

From  1857  to  1861,  he  discharged  the  duties  of  Commis- 
sioner of  Loans.  President  Lincoln  made  him  Postmaster 
of  Ithaca  in  1861.  He  was  re-appointed,  in  1865,  by  Andrew 
Johnson,  who,  in  the  most  nonchalant  manner,  subjected 
him  to  the  guillotine  on  the  25th  of  August,  1866,  for  refus- 
ing to  adopt  Mr.  Johnson's  peculiar  views.  Mr.  Selkreg 
survived  the  shock,  and,  under  the  warm  pressure  of  his 
friends,  accepted  the  nomination  for  Member  of  Assembly, 
being  elected  by  a  majority  of  1,472.    Having  once  got  him 


l62  Life  Sketches. 

in  the  Assembly,  his  constituents,  finding  him  to  be  the  right 
man  in  the  right  place,  kept  him  there  for  five  successive 
years.  He  was  a  Member  of  the  lower  House  in  1867,  1868, 
1869,  1870  and  1871.  During  the  session  of  1869,  he  was 
Chairman  of  Ways  and  Means,  and,  during  all  the  years 
mentioned,  was  a  member  of  that  leading  committee. 

Mr.  Selkreg  has  held  several  offices  of  business  interest. 
At  one  time,  he  was  President  of  the  Ithaca  and  Bingham- 
ton  Telegraph  Company,  and,  later,  has  been  President  of 
the  Ithaca  Calendar  Clock  Company. 

Mr.  Selkreg  was  elected  to  his  present  position  by  a 
majority  of  1,442  over  George  W.  Schuyler.  He  heads 
two  of  the  most  important  committees  of  the  Senate  —  Eail- 
roads  and  Public  Printing.  Thoroughly  familiar  with  the 
varied  interests  and  public  policy  of  the  State,  Senator  Selk- 
reg is  a  most  useful  and  influential  legislator. 


JAMES  G.  THOMPSON. 


The  twenty- third  Senatorial  district,  which  is  composed 
of  the  counties  of  Chenango,  Delaware  and  Schoharie,  is 
represented  by  James  G-.  TnoMPSOisr,  of  Norwich,  Chenango 
county.  Mr.  Thompsojst  was  born  at  Sharon,  Schoharie 
county,  on  the  15th  of  January,  1829.  His  father.  Dr. 
Thompson",  was  born  and  resided  at  Duanesburgh,  Schenec- 
tady county.  His  mother  was  a  daughter  of  Peter  B. 
GuERN"SEY,  of  Norwich.  Both  his  parents  are  now  dead. 
In  1857  he  married  Julia  Fraj^ces  Foote,  daughter  of  Dr. 
Lymak  Foote,  of  Syracuse.  After  finishing  his  rudi- 
mental  studies,  the  subject  of  this  sketch  entered  the 
Rensselaer  Polytechnic  Institute,  at  Troy,  with  the  design  of 
fitting  himself  for  the  profession  of  Civil  Engineering.  This 
design  he  abandoned,  however,  after  his  graduation,  and 


James  G.  Thompson.  103 

after  spending  some  time  in  teaching  he  embarked  in  the 
book  and  stationery  business,  which  he  has  since  made  his 
leading  support. 

Mr.  Thompson's  standing  among  those  who  have  the  best 
opportunity  for  forming  a  correct  judgment  is  shown  in  the 
positions  of  trust  and  responsibility  which  he  has  been 
called  upon  to  fill.  For  five  terms,  extending  over  a  period 
of  fifteen  years,  he  was  County  Clerk  of  Chenango  county. 
He  has  also  served  the  county  one  term  as  County  Treasurer, 
and  two  terms  as  Superintendent  of  Schools.  At  the  present 
time  he  is  Supervisor  of  his  town. 

The  convention  that  nominated  Mr.  Thompson  for  Senator 
was  one  of  the  most  "complex"  organizations  ever  assem- 
bled in  the  district.  Schoharie,  Delaware  and  Chenango 
each  had  a  candidate,  and  each  felt  inclined  to  fight  the 
thing  out  if  it  took  innumerable  ballotings.  Mr.  Thompson 
was  not  originally  a  candidate  for  the  position  which  was  so 
hotly  contested,  and  the  state  of  his  health  forbade  him 
taking  a  very  active  part  in  the  canvass.  The  preliminary 
contest  was  long  and  spirited,  but  at  length  on  the  one  hun- 
dred and  forty-third  ballot  Mr.  Thompson  was  nominated. 
Hon.  James  H.  Graham,  Hon.  J.  H.  Eamsey,  Captain 
Charles  C.  Kromer,  and  other  prominent  gentlemen,  had 
their  warm  friends  and  supporters,  but  it  was  finally  thought 
best  to  unite  on  a  gentleman  who  has  been  called  "  the  most 
popular  man  in  Chenango."  At  the  desire  of  the  Schoharie 
delegation,  that  Delaware  should  agree  with  Chenango  in  the 
choice  of  a  candidate,  Mr.  Thompson  was  finally  nominated 
and  nominated  unanimously.  Commenting  on  the  nomina- 
tion, the  Oneonta  Herald  said: 

"  We  suppose  there  is  not  a  man  in  Chenango  county  who 
can  poll  a  larger  vote  than  Mr.  Thompson.  Five  times  he 
has  been  elected  Clerk  of  the  County,  always  running  ahead 
of  the  ticket.  He  has  served  as  County  Treasurer,  Superin- 
tendent of  Schools,  and  is  the  present  Supervisor  of  Norwich. 
He  is  of  Schoharie  birth,  and  the  Republicans  of  that 
county  ought  to  congratulate  themselves  that  they  have  a 


104  Life  Sketches. 

candidate  of  such  eminent  fitness.  As  a  Senator,  Mr. 
Thompson"  will  have  few  superiors  ;  for  he  is  a  gentleman  of 
education,  extensive  information,  and  practical  common 
sense.  He  will  talk  enough  and  not  too  much,  and  work 
with  satisfactory  results  every  time.  It  is  an  honor  to  the 
district  to  have  so  able  and  honest  a  Senator." 

The  figures  of  Mr.  Thompson''s  election  are  eloquent  with 
the  lesson  of  the  necessity  of  getting  out  all  the  voters  on 
election  day,  and  speak  forcibly  of  the  importance  sometimes 
of  a  single  vote.  Mr.  Thompsojt  beat  his  competitor,  Mr. 
Yeomaks,  by  one  vote !  Mr.  Yeomaks  is  now  engaged  in 
contesting  the  seat  before  the  Committee  on  Privileges  and 
Elections  of  the  Senate. 

Mr.  THOMPSOiq"  is  in  the  prime  of  life,  possesses  unusual 
aptness  for  the  intelligent  discharge  of  public  business,  and 
devotes  himself  with  zeal  and  earnestness  to  his  Senatorial 
duties.  He  is  Chairman  of  two  Committees,  Internal 
Affairs  of  Towns  and  Counties  and  Poor  Laws,  and  is  a 
member  of  the  committees  on  Militia  and  Literature. 


FRANKLIN  W.  TOBEY. 


The  sixteenth  Senatorial  district,  consisting  of  the 
counties  of  Warren,  Essex  and  Clinton,  is  represented  by 
Frankli]^"  "W.  Tobey,  of  Port  Henry,  Essex  county.  Mr. 
ToBEY  enjoys  the  distinction  of  being  the  youngest  member 
of  the  Senate ;  he  is  now  in  his  thirtieth  year.  He  received 
no  educational  advantages  in  his  boyhood,  except  those 
offered  by  the  common  schools.  His  father,  Isaac  Tobey, 
was,  and  is  still,  a  plain  Essex  county  farmer,  and  young 
Tobey  was  trained  to  hard  labor  on  the  paternal  acres.  But 
he  made  diligent  use  of  opportunities  within  reach,  and  suc- 
ceeded in  acquiring  knowledge  to  such  a  degree,  that  before 
he  reached  his  majority  he  was  permitted  to  study  law  in  the 


Franklin  TF.  Tobey.  105 

office  of  Judge  Augustus  C.  Hand.  He  made  good  pro- 
gress, and  in  1868  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  has  since 
been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  the  law  in  the  firm  of 
Waldo,  Tobey  &  Beck  with,  at  Port  Henry.  Several  years 
ago  he  married  the  daughter  of  Rev.  C.  Ransom,  a  Presby- 
terian clergyman,  now  Chaplain  of  Clinton  State  Prison. 
Mr.  Tobey's  political  life  does  not  extend  very  far  into  the 
past,  but  it  has  been  remarkably  successful.  Always  a  Re- 
publican, he  has  taken  an  active  part  in  local  politics  since 
his  eighteenth  year.  In  1869  he  was  elected  Supervisor,  and 
on  his  being  re-elected  in  1870,  was  made  Chairman  of  the 
Board.  In  the  fall  of  1871  he  was  elected  to  the  Assembly 
by  a  majority  of  1,406,  and  re-elected  in  1872  by  1,981 
majority. 

His  services  during  the  session  of  1872  are  so  well-known, 
that  it  seems  almost  needless  to  refer  to  them.  On  making 
his  first  appearance  at  Albany  he  was  regarded  as  a  beardless 
youth  of  no  great  account,  but  he  soon  showed  his  mettle. 
Speaker  Smith  knew  something  about  him,  and  assigned  him 
the  second  place  on  the  Insurance  Committee,  and  also  made 
him  a  member  of  the  Judiciary  Committee,  which,  as  the 
event  proved,  were  the  two  most  important  Committees  of 
that  Assembly.  It  fell  to  the  lot  of  Mr.  Tobey  to  act  as 
Chairman  of  the  Sub-committee  which  conducted  the  long 
and  arduous  investigation  into  the  official  conduct  of  the 
then  Superintendent  of  the  Insurance  Department.  Weeks 
were  occupied  in  the  examination  of  witnesses,  and  the  tes- 
timony taken  constituted  one  of  the  most  bulky  documents 
of  the  session.  Much  of  the  examination  was  conducted  by 
Mr.  Tobey  in  person,  and  it  is  but  just  to  say  that  he 
efficiently  discharged  the  difficult  and  delicate  task  devolving 
upon  him.  The  result  of  that  investigation  is  now  a  matter 
of  history ;  but  the  unanimity  with  which  the  Republican 
majority  of  the  Assembly  promptly  indorsed  the  conclusions 
of  the  Committee,  was  a  marked  compliment,  not  only  to 
Mr.  Tobey,  but  to  every  member  of  the  Committee  signing 
14 


106  Life  Sketches. 

the  report.  As  a  member  of  the  Judiciary  Committee,  it 
was  Mr.  Tobey's  privilege  to  play  a  prominent  part  in  what 
was  pre-eminently  the  distinguishing  achievement  of  the 
Legislature  of  1872,  namely,  the  impeachment,  trial  and  ex- 
pulsion of  the  corrupt  New  York  judges.  The  offenses  of 
these  men  had  long  been  a  stench  in  the  people's  nostrils, 
and  it  was  peculiarly  the  province  of  a  "reform"  Legislature 
to  bring  about  a  needed  change  for  the  better  in  the  judiciary. 
If  the  Legislature  of  1872  had  accomplished  no  other  act 
worthy  of  commendation,  the  fact  that  it  did  effect  this  re- 
form should  entitle  it  to  the  gratitude  of  the  long-suffering 
people  of  the  State.  When  the  charges  had  been  made 
against  Judges  Baiin"ARD,  Oaedozo  and  McOunn",  it  de- 
volved upon  the  Judiciary  Committee  to  investigate  them, 
and  to  prepare  articles  of  impeachment  in  case  they  were  well 
founded.  The  committee  entered  upon  its  work  with  alacrity, 
and  prosecuted  it  with  thoroughness.  They  proceeded  to 
New  York,  where  they  took  a  great  mass  of  evidence,  and, 
except  on  one  or  two  minor  points,  were  unanimous  in 
recommending  the  impeachment  of  the  judges  for  mal  and 
corrupt  conduct.  The  impeachment  articles  were  prepared 
and  adopted  by  the  Assembly,  and  the  result  of  the  protracted 
trial,  which  took  place  in  the  summer  of  1872,  is  familiar  to 
every  one.  In  all  these  proceedings  Mr.  Tobey  bore  a  con- 
spicuous and  honorable  part,  and  won  a  reputation  which  few 
realize  who  spend  long  years  in  public  service.  Of  course, 
with  such  a  record  as  the  result  of  a  single  session,  his  con- 
stituents had  no  choice  but  to  return  him  by  a  largely  in- 
creased majority,  and  they  did  so.  In  the  Assembly  of  last 
year  he  was  Chairman  of  the  Committees  on  Insurance  and 
Kules,  and  was  a  member  of  the  Judiciary  Committee. 
When  it  became  evident  that  Mr.  Ames,  who  represented  the 
Sixteenth  district  in  the  last  Senate,  would  be  compelled  to 
decline  a  re-election,  on  account  of  ill-health,  Mr.  Tobey's 
name  became  at  once  prominent  as  his  successor.  His  nomi- 
nation was  received  with  words  of  hearty  approval  by  the 


Webster  Wagner.  107 

press  in  different  parts  of  the  State.  The  New  York  Times 
said,  "  Mr.  Tobey  has  experience  in  legislation,  and  in  his 
two  terms  of  service  in  the  Assembly  has  won  an  enviable 
reputation  for  unwavering  integrity,  great  watchfulness,  and 
shrewd  activity.  No  man  ever  thought  of  offering  Mr.  Tobey 
a  Wbe,  no  matter  how  speciously  the  bait  was  gilded."  Mr. 
Tobey  occupies  the  important  and  responsible  position  of 
Chairman  of  the  Insurance  Committee,  and  is  a  member  of 
the  Judiciary,  Railroads,  and  Privileges  and  Elections. 


WEBSTER  WAGNER. 


"Webster  Wagner,  to  whom,  in  the  present  Senate,  the 
interests  of  the  fifteenth  Senatorial  district  are  committed, 
is  descended  from  German  parents,  and  was  born  at  Pala- 
tine Bridge,  Montgomery  county,  this  State,  where  he  still 
resides,  in  the  year  1817.  After  receiving  a  common  school 
education,  he  was  apprenticed  to  his  brother  James  to  learn 
the  trade  of  wagon  and  carriage  building.  His  apprentice- 
ship ended,  and  a  good  knowledge  of  the  business  acquired, 
he  continued  to  devote  himself  to  wagon  and  carriage  making 
for  a  number  of  years.  In  1845  he  received  tlic  appoint- 
ment of  station  agent  at  Palatine  Bridge  for  the  Utica  and 
Schenectady  Railroad,  a  position  which  he  occupied  until  the 
year  1860. 

While  acting  as  station  agent,  and  watching  the  trains 
coming  and  going,  he  proposed  to  himself  a  problem,  the 
successful  solution  of  which  has  done  so  much  for  the  com- 
fort of  the  traveling  public,  and  made  the  name  of  Webster 
Wagner  well  known  all  over  the  country.  The  Senator 
would,  doubtless,  shrink  from  being  designated  by  that  much 
abused  term  "philanthropist,"  and  yet  if  love  for  one's  fellow 
men  is  to  be  inferred  from  benefits  conferred  on  them,  it  is 


108  Life  Sketches. 

diflBcult  to  see  why  he  should  not  in  all  justice  be  named  a 
philanthropist  in  virtue  of  his  Wagner  Palace  Cars. 

With  the  appearance  of  the  sleeping  and  drawing-room 
car  as  part  of  the  regular  railway  train,  the  comfort  and  con- 
venience of  travel  was  increased  a  hundred  fold.  Looking 
back  a  few  years  to  the  order  of  things  that  then  prevailM, 
we  wonder  how  it  was  that  we  ever  rested  content  with  the 
old  time  unsightly  and  uncomfortable  cars.  In  virtue  of  the 
improvements,  of  which  Mr.  Wagner  was  one  of  the 
pioneers,  the  terror  of  railroad  traveling  has  been  removed, 
and  now,  seated  in  a  drawing-room  car,  or  reposing  in  a  - 
sleeping-car,  one  approximates  very  nearly  to  the  comfort 
and  ease  of  a  well-appointed  home. 

Mr.  Wagner  was  one  of  the  original  inventors,  and  the 
first  to  put  in  operation  the  drawing-room  and  sleeping-cars,  i 
which  have  grown  to  be  a  necessity  with  those  who  travel  by 
rail.  His  long  experience  at  wagon  and  carriage  building 
enabled  him  to  proceed  unerringly  with  his  plans  for  an  easy- 
riding  car,  while  his  taste  and  judgment  suggested  the  proper 
interior  arrangements.  The  result  of  his  labors  in  this  re- 
gard was  first  made  manifest  on  the  1st  of  September,  1858, 
when  he  introduced  thfe  first  sleeping-car  on  the  Utica  and 
Schenectady  Railroad.  This  effort  proved  eminently  success- 
ful, and  encouraged  him  to  still  farther  exertions  in  the  same 
direction.  Having  provided  the  means  of  accommodation 
and  comfort  for  those  who  journeyed  by  night,  he  set  himself 
to  work  in  the  interest  of  day  passengers.  Consummate 
skill,  joined  to  great  energy  and  perseverance,  compassed  the 
desired  object,  and  on  the  20th  day  of  August,  1867,  he  pre- 
sented to  an  admiring  and  delighted  public  the  first  drawing- 
room  car  that  was  ever  built  in  America. 

These  drawing-room  or  palace  cars  have  introduced  an 
entirely  new  element  of  pleasure  into  traveling  in  the  United 
States,  have  indeed  reduced  it  to  a  fine  art.  Taking  one  of 
these  magnificent  conveyances  in  New  York  on  Monday,  a 
pleasure-seeker  can  find  himself  in  San  Francisco  in  a  week. 


Webster  Wagner.  103 

not  the  least  fatigued  by  travel  or  otherwise,  and  scarcely 
less  fresh  than  when  he  popped  his  head  out  at  Spuyten 
Duyvil  Creek. 

The  first  sleeping-car  that  was  ever  built  in  America  and 
used  by  Mr.  Wagner,  cost  but  $3,000,  whereas  those  used 
now-a-days  cost  116,000  to  $20,000  each,  the  difference  in  the 
figures  representing  the  progress  made  in  railway  comfort 
and  accommodation  since  1857.  Mr.  Wagner  has  now 
forty-nine  drawing-room  cars  in  active  use,  each  of  which 
cost  near  upon  $14,000. 

The  Wagner  Sleeping  Car  Company  are  now  running 
sixty  sleeping  cars,  which  cost  three-quarters  of  a  million 
dollai's. 

Senator  Wagner's  legislative  career  commenced  in  1871, 
when  he  was  sent  to  the  Assembly  from  Montgomery  county. 
Running  with  the  odds  against  him,  he  was  elected  by  a 
handsome  majority,  his  vote  being  much  ahead  of  that  given 
to  the  general  Republican  ticket.  He  served  on  the  com- 
mittee on  Banks,  and  made  a  record  as  a  legislator  so  satis- 
factory to  his  constituents,  that  in  the  Senatorial  Convention 
of  1871,  he  was  unanimously  nominated  to  represent  the 
Fifteenth  district.  Two  years  previous,  the  Fifteenth  district 
had  been  lost  to  the  Republicans  by  an  unfortunate  division 
among  themselves,  and  the  selection  of  Mr.  Wagner,  who 
was  not  a  politician,  and  represented  neither  faction,  was 
considered  a  guarantee  that  the  Democratic  majority  in  1869, 
of  2,003,  was  to  be  overcome.  And  overcome  it  was.  Mr. 
Wagner  was  elected  over  Isaiah  Fuller,  his  Democratic 
opponent,  by  the  rousing  majority  of  3,222. 

So  well  satisfied  were  the  people  of  his  district  with  the 
manner  in  which  he  had  looked  after  their  interests  and  the 
interests  of  the  State,  that  he  was  renominated  by  the  Re- 
publicans, by  acclamation.  The  sentiment  was  universal 
that  his  election  was  due  equally  to  him  and  the  district. 
Indeed,  the  Democracy,  at  their  convention,  called  to  nomi- 
nate a  Senator,  resolved  that  it  was  inexpedient  to  nominate 


110  Life  Sketches. 

a  candidate   against  him,  and  accordingly  he  was  elected, 
without  opposition. 

Mr.  Wagn^er  makes  a  faithful  and  good  working  Senator. 
He  is  attentive  to  the  wants  and  interests  of  his  own  con- 
stituents, and  intelligent  and  straightforward  in  his  course 
upon  matters  of  general  legislation.  He  is  direct,  out-spoken 
and  unequivocal  upon  all  subjects,  and  no  one  will  venture 
to  cast  reproach  upon  the  purity  and  integrity  of  his  action. 
You  know  where  to  find  him  every  time.  Without  making 
any  ostentatious  pretentions,  he  has  been  an  efficient  and 
successful  representative.  His  sound  sense  and  practical 
ability  have  given  him  large  influence  among  his  associates. 


ABIJAH  J.  WELLMAN. 


Colonel  Abijah  J.  Wellman"  represents  the  thirtieth 
Senatorial  district,  consisting  of  the  counties  of  Wyoming, 
Livingston  and  Allegany.  He  was  born  at  Friendship,  Alle- 
gany county,  on  the  6th  of  May,  183G.  His  father,  Jon"AS 
Wellma]^,  was  born  in  Vermont,  and  was  of  English  parent- 
age. He  resided  in  Friendship  for  fifteen  years,  and  for  a 
long  period  prior  to  his  death,  which  occurred  in  1844,  was 
an  eminently  successful  and  highly  respected  physician. 
The  subject  of  this  sketch  enjoyed,  after  receiving  the  usual 
rudimental  instruction,  an  academic  course,  and  afterward 
entered  the  Oberlin  Ohio  College.  In  1855,  he  entered  into 
mercantile  business,  and  a  few  years  after  took  up  the  bank- 
ing business.  In  1864,  he  started  in  at  lumbering.  At  the 
present  time,  he  has  all  these  irons  in  the  fire,  and  is  suc- 
cessfully managing  them.  Col.  Wellman"  has  a  war  record 
of  which  he  may  well  be  proud.  In  September,  1861,  he  was 
appointed  Captain  of  the  Eighty-fifth  New  York.  A  few 
months  subsequently,  he  was  promoted  to  be  Major,  and,  on 


Abijah  J.  Wellman,  111 

the  8th  of  February,  1862,  was  again  promoted  to  be  Lieu- 
tenant-Colonel. He  took  part  in  the  memorable  battle  of 
Fair  Oaks,  and  was  severely  wounded  on  the  31st  of  May, 
1862.  He  also  participated  in  the  battles  of  Goldsboro, 
Kinston  and  Whitehall,  and  remained  in  command  of  his 
regiment  as  long  as  it  was  in  service. 

Col.  Wellman  has  always  taken  a  deep  interest  in  politics, 
and  has  been  an  active  Eepublican  since  the  organization  of 
the  party.  For  seven  successive  years,  commencing  in  1866, 
he  was  Supervisor  of  Friendship.  For  three  years  in  succes- 
sion he  was  chosen  Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of 
Allegany  county.  In  1872,  he  attended  as  delegate  to  the 
Philadelphia  Convention  that  nominated  Grant  and  Wilson. 

Colonel  Wellman  was  married,  in  September,  1863,  at 
Friendship,  to  Kate,  daughter  of  Asher  W.  Miner,  of  that 
place.  Early  in  life  he  united  with  the  Baptist  church,  and, 
for  the  past  eight  years,  he  has  been  Superintendent  of  a 
flourishing  Sunday-school. 

The  nomination  of  Colonel  Wellman  for  the  Senate  was 
received  with  hearty  expressions  of  satisfaction.  The  Roches- 
ter Democrat  and  Chronicle  pronounced  it  "one  in  every  way 
fit  to  be  made."    It  added : 

"Those  who  served  with  Colonel  Wellman  in  the  army 
speak  of  him  in  the  highest  terms  as  an  officer  and  as  a  man. 
lie  was  idolized  by  the  troops.  Colonel  Wellman  will  make 
a  Senator  of  the  right  stamp,  and  he  is  sure  to  be  elected  by 
a  large  majority." 

The  Warsaw  New-  Yorker  said : 

"Col.  AVellman,  our  next  Senator,  is  a  man  of  excellent 
ability,  of  culture  and  refinement ;  served  in  the  war  with 
distinction,  winning  in  an  unusual  degree  the  confidence  of 
his  generals  and  the  love  of  his  soldiers;  is  thoroughly 
trusted  and  believed  in  by  all  who  know  him,  irrespective  of 
party  relations,  and,  by  his  high  character  and  proved  ability, 
is  as  well  fitted  to  serve  his  district  acceptably  and  well  in  the 
Senate  as  any  new  man  in  his  county." 


112  Life  Sketches. 

Colonel  Wellmak  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  3,297  over 
Edwaed  Farkum.  He  serves  in  the  Senate  on  four  im- 
portant committees.  He  is  very  properly  Chairman  on 
Militia ;  he  is  also  Chairman  of  State  Prisons,  and  a  member 
on  Banks  and  Internal  Affairs  of  Towns  and  Counties. 


DANIEL  P.  WOOD. 


Dajtiel  Wood,  the  father  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch, 
came,  in  1800,  to  Pompey,  Onondaga  county,  from  the  Berk- 
shire Hills.  Dakiel  p.  Wood  is  of  New  England,  Massa- 
chusetts stock.  And  this  implies  more  than  many  men, 
whose  minds  are  biased  by  religious,  sectional  or  political 
antagonisms,  are  willing  to  admit. 

Massachusetts  is,  in  some  important  respects,  the  inferior 
of  this  our  native  State.  She  has  many  faults  of  history 
and  character.  She  has  given  birth  to  not  a  few  unworthy 
sons  and  daughters.  But,  after  all,  in  spite  of  what  may  be 
truthfully  said  about  the  Puritan  sternness  and  Calvinistic 
bigotry,  the  persecution  of  Baptists  and  Quakers,  the  Cotton 
Mathers  and  Salem  witches  of  the  past,  or  the  lax  notions 
and  heresies  of  the  present,  spite  of  all  the  business  and 
political  sins  fairly  or  unfairly  laid  at  her  door,  Massa- 
chusetts is  a  commonwealth  eminent  among  her  sisters  for 
the  nobler  qualities.  Considering  her  population,  and  the 
extent  of  her  territory,  her  history  cannot  easily  be  sur- 
passed for  variety  of  excellence.  Her  children  get  from  her  a 
moral  and  intellectual  training,  a  personal  independence  and 
love  of  liberty,  and  a  political  education  which  subordinates 
the  State  to  the  nation,  the  interests  of  the  individual  to  the 
interest  of  the  masses,  which  holds  the  home  prosperity  as 
bound  up  in,  and  inseparable  from,  the  prosperity  of  neigh- 


Daniel  F.  Wood.  113 

bors  and  sisters.  Such  sons  of  hers  who  go  wrong  are  unjust 
to  their  mother  and  share  nothing  of  her  spirit. 

Hon.  Daniel  P.  Wood  inherited,  and  has  exhibited 
through  life,  the  New  England  traits  —  readiness  to  labor  and 
to  learn,  strength  of  will,  forecast  and  sympathy  with  those 
movements  which  have  for  their  end  the  well-being  of  the 
country — for  their  means  to  that  end  the  advancing  condi- 
tion of  all  classes  and  races.  His  father  was  a  lawyer  and 
farmer,  farming  being  his  main  occupation.  Mr.  Wood 
worked  diligently  on  the  farm  till  he  was  twenty  years 
old,  acquiring  a  vigor  of  constitution  which  has  since 
enabled  him  to  endure  the  severest  mental  labor.  After  a 
preparatory  course  at  Pompey  Hill  Academy,  he  entered 
Hamilton  College.  There  he  not  only  disciplined  his  mind 
by  a  mastering  of  the  class  studies,  but  expanded  it  by  a 
wide  range  of  reading.  He  studied  law  at  Pompey,  with 
Victory  Birdseye,  and  in  1846  commenced  the  practice  of 
law  at  Syracuse.  His  industry  and  skill  were  not  long  in 
securing  him  great  success.  He  was  Corporation  Attorney 
for  three  years,  and  his  general  business  was  so  large,  and 
attended  to  with  such  fidelity,  that  in  1853  his  health 
broke  down,  and  in  the  year  1854,  he  consented  to 
represent  his  district  in  the  Assembly,  in  the  hope  of  benefit 
from  lighter  labors  and  a  change  of  occupation.  But  the 
legislation  of  those  years  was  very  important,  and  Mr.  Wood 
was  too  earnest  and  active  to  give  the  needed  rest  to  his 
worn-out  frame.  In  1853,  he  was  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Salt,  and  was  on  the  Committee  on  Claims  and 
the  Code.  On  this  last  Committee  was  Arphaxad  Loomis, 
while  David  Dudley  Field,  another  codifier,  was  often 
present  at  its  sessions.  The  Committee  sat  many  hours 
each  day,  entertaining  the  most  important  discussions,  de- 
manding for  their  proper  handling  severe  thought  and  wide 
knowledge,  Mr.  Wood  brought  to  them  his  legal  acumen 
and  conscientious  industry. 

In  addition,  the  canal  policy  came  up  for  review  and 
16 


114  Life  Sketches. 

determination.  The  Legislature  of  this  year  submitted  the 
question  of  debt  for  the  completion  of  the  enlargement  to 
the  people,  and  in  the  long,  exciting  and  able  debates,  Mr. 
Wood  was  prominent  and  influential.  He  was  one  of  the 
Managers,  on  the  part  of  the  assembly,  of  the  impeachment 
of  Canal  Commissioner  John  C.  Mather.  To  have  been 
assigned  such  important  posts  by  a  House  politically  opposed 
to  him,  and  during  his  first  year  as  a  legislator,  was  no  light 
tribute  to  his  reputation  and  capacity. 

In  1854,  as  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Colleges, 
Academies,  etc.,  he  matured  and  carried  through  the  act 
creating  the  Department  of  Public  Instruction.  He  was, 
this  year,  a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Ways  and  Means. 
He  attended  moderately  to  his  profession  during  the  three 
years  immediately  following;  but,  in  1857,  a  hemorrhage 
of  the  throat  or  lungs  brought  him  to  the  borders  of  the 
grave.  Most  men  would  have  given  way,  but  the  will  of  Mr. 
Wood  triumphed  over  disease,  and  as  soon  as  he  became 
convalescent,  he  started  for  South  Carolina,  returning  thence 
on  horseback. 

In  1864,  '65,  'QQ,  he  was  elected  to  the  Assembly,  as  Eepre- 
sentative  from  the  Second  district  of  Onondaga  county.  In 
1865  and  1866  he  was  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Canals, 
a  position  requiring  almost  ceaseless  labor.  He  understood 
the  canals,  and  defended  their  interests  with  honor  to  him- 
self and  usefulness  to  the  State.  In  1865  he  was  Chairman 
of  the  Committee  to  receive  the  remains  of  President  Liisr- 
COLI^,  at  the  city  of  New  York,  and  conduct  them  through 
the  State.  He  was  also  on  the  Ways  and  Means,  a  com- 
mittee of  which,  in  the  following  year,  he  was  Chairman. 

Mr.  Wood  was  a  Whig;  then  a  Eepublican.  During  the 
war  he  labored  without  ceasing.  The.  first  regiment  which 
went  from  Syracuse  was  raised  in  one  week.  In  the  same 
period,  mainly  through  the  exertions  of  Mr.  Wood,  nearly 
120,000  was  contributed  on  behalf  of  the  soldiers  and  their 
families.    His  patriotism  knew  no  fear  or  faltering ;  he  kept 


Daniel  P.  Wood.  115 

np  liis  patience  and  his  hope,  speaking  words  of  good  cheer 
all  the  more  when  hours  were  darkest. 

Mr.  Wood  made  such  a  magnificent  record  during  his 
preceding  term  in  the  Senate  that  his  renomination  was  a 
matter  of  course.  He  was  renominated  by  acclamation  and 
elected  by  a  majority  of  12,761,  as  against  3,991  received  in 
1871.  The  Democracy  made  no  nomination  against  him, 
and  the  only  organized  opposition  of  any  kind  was  repre- 
sented by  Charles  D.  B.  Mills,  supported  by  the  distinc- 
tively temperance  vote. 

Mr.  Wood  holds  in  this  Senate,  as  he  did  in  the  last,  the 
leading  and  important  position  of  Chairman  of  the  Finance 
Committee,  which  has  required  him  to  act  upon  the  vast 
fiscal  interests,  claims  and  necessities  of  the  State,  and  has 
given  him  a  great  weight  in  determining  its  public  policy. 
He  has  used  all  the  power  of  this  place  in  enforcing  retrench- 
ment, resisting  unjust  and  unworthy  claims,  fighting  ex- 
travagance and  prodigality  of  expenditure,  and  relieving  the 
burdens  of  the  people.  All  who  have  any  close  knowledge 
of  public  affairs,  know  that  to  his  firmness  and  courage  and 
persistency  the  State  is  indebted  for  saving  hundreds  of 
thousands  during  the  last  session  alone. 

In  his  more  general  duties  as  a  member  of  the  Senate,  Mr. 
Wood  has  shown  himself  equally  watchful  and  straight- 
forward. He  has  stoutly  opposed  all  corrupt  and  question- 
able measures,  and  has  uniformly  been  on  the  side  of  honest 
and  economical  legislation. 


116  Life  Sketches, 


WILLIAM  B.  WOODIN. 


"William  B.  Wooditji",  of  Auburn,  represents  the  twenty- 
fifth  Senatorial  district,  consisting  of  the  counties  of  Oayuga 
and  Wayne.  He  was  born  at  Genoa,  in  the  county  of  Oayuga, 
on  the  25th  of  September,  1824.  After  receiving  a  thorough 
academic  education,  and  graduating  at  the  Cortland  Academy, 
he  applied  himself  to  the  study  of  the  law  with  so  much  suc- 
cess that,  once  admitted  to  practice,  it  was  not  long  before  he 
rose  to  a  prominent  place  among  his  brethren  at  the  bar. 

In  1859,  his  high  character  and  conspicuous  legal  abilities 
secured  his  election  to  the  office  of  Surrogate  of  Cayuga 
county.  He  brought  to  the  discharge  of  the  delicate  and 
responsible  duties  incident  to  settling  up  estates,  so  much 
patience,  industry  and  intelligence,  that  his  re-election  as 
Surrogate  followed  almost  as  a  matter  of  course.  A  second 
re-election  resulted  at  the  proper  time,  and  when  Mr.WooDiisr 
was  elevated  to  the  Senate,  in  1869,  there  was  a  general  and 
urgent  request  made  of  him  to  continue  to  discharge  the 
duties  of  Surrogate.  He  may  well  be  proud  of  the  indorse- 
ment which  he  has  thus  received  from  home. 

The  Senator's  first  experience  as  a  law-maker  for  the 
Empire  State  dates  back  to  1855.  In  that  year  he  repre- 
sented the  second  district  of  Cayuga  county  in  the  Assembly 
to  the  satisfaction  of  those  who  sent  him  there.  He  is  now 
serving  his  third  term  in  the  Senate,  having  been  a  member  of 
that  body  in  1870, 1871, 1872, 1873.  During  his  first  term  he 
took  high  rank  as  a  legislator,  especially  distinguishing  himself 
from  the  very  start  as  a  debate-r.  On  the  second  day  of  the 
session  of  1871,  he  made  an  able  argument  on  the  right  or 
power  of  one  Legislature  to  rescind  the  action  of  a  previous 
Legislature  in  relation  to  amendments  to  the  Constitution 
of  the  United  States,  an  argument  which,  although  delivered 


William  B.  Woodin.  117 

after  a  very  slight  preparation,  commanded  great  attention, 
and  was  pronounced  by  those  who  heard  it  as  an  exhaustive 
treatment  of  the  subject  under  discussion. 

Having,  in  his  two  years'  service  in  the  former  Senate, 
taken  rank  among  the  foremost  as  an  able,  judicious  and 
honest  legislator,  possessing  both  business  and  forensic  capac- 
ity, he  was,  in  the  fall  of  1871,  renominated  as  Senator  by 
acclamation.  In  the  last  Senate,  Mr.  Woodin  played  a 
very  prominent  part  The  session  of  1872  was  presided 
over  by  Lieutenant-Governor  Beach,  and,  that  gentleman 
being  opposed  politically  to  the  majority,  was,  very  naturally, 
desirous  of  being  relieved  from  the  responsibility  of  naming 
the  standing  committees.  Accordingly,  the  task  of  commit- 
tee-making fell  to  Senator  Woodin,  who  had  been  chosen  by 
his  associates  President  pro  tern,  of  the  Senate.  Probably  no 
more  thankless  or  delicate  task  can  well  be  conceived  of  than 
that  of  forming  standing  committees.  Artemus  Ward 
thought  he  could  achieve  a  military  success  by  raising  a  regi- 
ment to  be  composed  entirely  of  major-generals.  The  plan 
is  more  felicitous  than  feasible,  but  if  something  similar  to  it 
could  be  contrived  for  legislative  bodies,  in  virtue  of  which 
every  honorable  gentleman  should  have  a  chairmanship,  Mr. 
President  and  Mr.  Speaker  would  have  considerable  less  worry 
than  under  the  present  limitations.  We  believe  Senator 
Woodin  gave  general  satisfaction  with  his  make-up  of  the 
Senate  committees  for  1872  —  the  chief  if  not  the  only  point 
of  criticism  that  developed  itself  being  that  he  gave  himself 
no  appointments. 

Lieutenant-Governor  Robinson,  in  arranging  the  Senate 
committees  for  1873,  designated  Senator  Woodin  as  Chair- 
man on  the  Committee  of  Cities,  a  position  which  was  an 
appropriate  recognition  of  his  standing  among  his  associates 
and  his  signal  legislative  capacity,  but  which  is  exceedingly 
responsible  and  onerous.  It  was  impossible  to  satisfy  all  the 
conflicting  interests  and  views  that  came  up  in  connection 
with  the  New  York  charter  and  other  leading  measures,  but 


118  •  Life  Sketches. 

the  vigor  and  capacity  displayed  by  Senator  Woodijs"  are 
nowhere  disputed. 

He  was  elected  to  the  present  Senate  by  a  plurality  of  388 
over  George  W.  Cutler,  Democrat,  and  Dewitt  0.  Par- 
shall,  Independent  Republican.  He  retains  his  position  as 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Cities,  and  has  demonstrated 
anew  his  signal  ability,  industry  as  a  legislator,  accomplish- 
ments as  a  lawyer,  and  his  ready  comprehension  of  public 
questions. 


HENRY  A.  GLIDDEN, 

clerk  of  the  sekate. 

The  duties  of  the  Clerk  of  such  a  body  as  the  Senate  are 
not  solely  or  chiefly  clerical,  in  the  ordinary  acceptation  of 
the  word.  Very  much  more  is  required  of  him  than  keeping 
the  diary  of  each  day's  legislative  doings  in  a  large,  legible 
hand;  very  much  more  than  filing  petitions,  bills,  reports 
and  all  that  sort  of  thing  in  appropriate  pigeon  holes,  and 
producing  them  when  required ;  very  much  more  than  tak- 
ing charge  of  that  important  but  imaginary  taUe  attached 
to  his  desk,  upon  which  so  many  documents  of  one  kind  and 
another  are  temporarily  or  permanently  "laid;"  very  much 
more  than  proclaiming,  with  stentorian  voice,  all  the  wisdom 
which  "  The  People  of  the  State  of  New  York,  represented 
in  Senate  and  Assembly,  do  enact." 

A  man  may  give  satisfaction  as  regards  all  the  pomts 
indicated,  and,  nevertheless,  fall  short  of  the  stature  of  a 
Clerk  of  the  requisite  capacity  and  accomplishments.  A 
thoroughly  capable  Clerk  —  such  an  one,  for  instance,  as  he 
whose  name  stands  at  the  head  of  this  article  —  is,  on  occas- 
ion, and  must  always  stand  ready  to  be,  the  prompter,  if  not 
the  power,  behind  the  Chair.  When  new  and  inexperienced 
legislators  for  the  first  time  are  called  upon  to  preside  over 


Henry  A.  Glidden.  119 

Senate  or  Committee  of  the  Whole,  where  would  they  be  — 
what  would  become  of  them  but  for  the  friendly  and  incessant 
whispers  of  the  clerk  ?  When  a  knotty  point  in  parliament- 
ary law  is  brought  forward  to  the  disagreement  of  the  Sena- 
tors, the  Clerk  who,  on  being  consulted,  fails  to  produce  from 
his  tongue's  end  a  solution  of  the  difficulty,  is  apt  to  be 
looked  upon  with  a  measure  of  disapprobation ;  as  one  not 
entirely  fortified  in  his  position.  In  addition  to  all  this,  the 
Clerk  is  expected  to  name,  on  the  instant  that  a  bill  is  intro- 
duced—  no  matter  how  queer  and  outlandish  the  bill  — 
the  very  committee  set  apart  for  its  reception ;  to  keep  in 
mind  the  title  of  every  act  "  entitled  an  act "  introduced 
from  the  commencement  to  the  close  of  the  session,  includ- 
ing, as  germain  to  the  subject,  the  name  of  the  committee 
to  whom  referred,  and  the  date  of  subsequent  report. 
Having  added  that,  he  must  be  as  ready  with  answers  to  all 
sorts  of  questions  as  a  metropolitan  hotel  clerk;  that  his 
legislative  ability  would  avail  him  but  little  unless  combined 
with  great  executive  talents ;  that  it  behooves  him  to  have  a 
knowledge  of  men  as  well  as  of  affairs ;  to  be  the  possessor 
of  the  social  virtue  of  unfailing  good  nature;  and,  as  it 
were,  to  be  a  walking  edition  of  the  blue  and  red  book.  We 
refrain  from  further  definition,  and,  merely  repeating  our 
preliminary  observation,  that  the  duties  of  the  Clerk  of  the 
Senate  are  not  solely  or  chiefly  clerical,  we  pass  on  to  give  a 
brief  sketch  of  the  present  efficient  Clerk  of  the  Senate, 
Henry  A.  Glidden. 

Henry  A.  Glidden  was  born  at  Clarendon,  in  the  county 
of  Orleans,  on  the  21st  of  August,  1830.  He  received  a 
good  academical  education,  and  graduated  at  the  State 
Normal  School,  at  Albany,  in  1848.  After  leaving  school, 
he  applied  himself  to  the  study  of  the  law,  studying  with 
Hon.  Sanford  E.  Church  and  Hon.  Noah  Davis,  at 
Albion.  He  also  availed  himself  of  the  benefit  to  be  derived 
from  attendance  at  the  law  school  in  Albany.  He  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  1852,  but  the  press  of  business  in 


120  Life  Sketches. 

other  directions  has  given  him  very  little  time  for  the  prac 
tice  of  his  profession. 

Mr.  Glidden  has  always  been  an  active  politician.  Start- 
ing as  a  Whig,  he  cast  his  lot  with  the  Republican  party  as 
soon  as  it  was  organized,  and  has  remained  a  Republican 
ever  since.  His  official  experience  outside  of  the  Senate  is 
included  in  a  three  years  term  as  Supervisor  of  the  town  of 
Ridgeway,  Orleans  county. 

Mr.  GLiDDE]sr  has  long  been  a  familiar  presence  to  those 
attending  the  sessions  of  the  Legislature.  For  eight  years 
he  occupied  the  position  of  assistant  clerk  of  the  Senate, 
being  retained  under  some  administrations  opposed  to  him 
politically.  His  retention  for  so  many  years  of  a  position  for 
which  there  is  always  such  a  crowd  of  applicants  speaks 
well  for  his  reputation  for  capacity  and  integrity.  His  elec- 
tion to  the  position  which  he  now  holds  was  a  compliment 
of  which  he  might  well  be  proud.  He  was  chosen  by  a 
unanimous  vote,  Democrats  as  well  as  Republicans  recording 
themselves  heartily  in  favor  of  a  man  whom  they  knew  to 
be  thoroughly  equipped  for  the  competent  discharge  of  the 
many  responsible  duties  devolving  upon  a  Clerk. 

Mr.  Glidden"  is  prompt,  intelligent,  patient  and  courteous, 
and  is  as  popular  in  his  new  position  as  he  was  always  faith- 
ful in  every  public  duty  hitherto  assisrned  him. 


MEMBERS  OF  THE  ASSEMBLY. 


JAMES  W.  HUSTED, 

SPEAKER. 

At  the  caucus  which  named  the  subject  of  the  present 
article  for  the  Speakership,  the  apt  remark  was  made  that 
"Gen.  HusTED  is  a  born  Speaker."  The  allusion  was  so 
peculiarly  applicable,  and  so  well  described  Mr.  Husted's 
gifts  in  this  regard,  that  it  was  caught  up  and  embodied  in 
numerous  commendatory  notices  which  then  appeared  in  the 
press  of  the  State  concerning  the  new  presiding  officer. 
Certainly  no  other  phrase  of  equal  brevity  could  so  well 
express  the  fact.  Gen.  Husted's  qualifications  for  the 
Speakership  —  a  position  which  admittedly  requires  qualifi- 
cations of  a  high  order  —  are  implanted  in  his  very  nature. 
They  are  born  within  him  rather  than  acquired.  No  amount 
of  training  can  give  to  any  man  the  quickness  of  perception, 
the  prompt  judgment  or  the  coolness  of  demeanor,  which 
pre-eminently  distinguish  the  gentleman  from  Westchester, 
while  the  most  thorough  parliamentarian  and  statesman 
would  undoubtedly  fail  in  the  Speaker's  chair  did  he  not 
possess  precisely  those  qualities. 

The  canvass  for  the  Speakership  of  the  present  Assembly 
was  memorable  in  several  respects.  It  is  not  frequently  the 
case  that  a  legislative  body  contains  so  many  men  of  mark 
and  ability  as  the  one  now  assembled  at  the  capitol.  It  was 
natural,  therefore,  that  several  of  them  should  be  spoken  of 
as  the  prospective  parliamentary  head  of  the  House;  and  it  is 
a  noticeable  fact  that  all  of  those  so  spoken  of  would  have 
honored  the  office  had  they  been  called  upon  to  occupy  it. 
From  the  first,  however,  Mr.  Husted  was  universally  recog- 
16 


122  Life  Sketches. 

nized,  from  his  long  and  honorable  service  as  a  legislator, 
his  perfect  familiarity  with  parliamentary  tactics  and  canons, 
and  the  extremely  valuable  mental  and  personal  character- 
istics already  spoken  of,  as  the  fittest  man  for  the  honor. 
Even  his  opponents  —  and  there  were  many  of  them — con- 
ceded that,  in  a  practical  sense,  at  least,  he  stood  almost 
without  an  equal  in  this  connection.  His  competitor,  Mr. 
Prince,  a  man  of  far  different  mold,  of  exalted  character,  and 
possessing  equal  if  not  superior  accomplishments  of  another 
stamp,  was  a  formidable  rival,  and  had  another  than  Gen. 
HusTED  been  in  the  field  he  would  undoubtedly  have  been 
chosen  by  acclamation.  The  congest  between  the  two  gen- 
tlemen, while  carried  on  throughout  in  a  friendly  spirit,  was 
stubbornly  fought  on  both  sides.  But  Mr.  Prince  suffered 
no  disparagement  or  loss  of  self-respect  in  being  beaten  by 
such  a  man  as  Gen.  Husted  ;  and  to  the  latter  the  result 
was  not  only  honorable  and  gratifying,  but  a  fitting  acknowl- 
edgment of  his  five  years'  faithful  service  as  a  law-maker. 

Gen.  Husted's  personal  record,  during  the  twenty  years  or 
more  he  has  mingled  in  the  politics  of  the  State,  has  been  a 
brilliant  one.  Born  in  Bedford,  in  this  State,  on  the  31st  of 
October,  1833,  and  descended  from  an  ancestry  chiefly  remark- 
able for  honesty  and  respectability,  he  enjoyed  fair  oppor- 
tunities during  his  youth.  He  prepared  for  college  at  the 
Bedford  Academy,  in  his  native  town,  and  at  quite  an  early 
age  entered  Yale  College,  from  which  he  graduated  on  reach- 
ing his  majority  in  1854.  While  in  college  he  stood  well 
with  his  class,  and  was  complimented  with  university  honors 
when  he  graduated.  Subsequently  he  studied  law  with 
Edward  Wells,  of  Peekskill,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
in  1857.  As  a  lawyer  he  possesses  fine  abilities,  and  is  regarded 
with  confidence  and  respect.  His  political  life  has  been 
somewhat  varied,  and  not  entirely  devoid  of  vicissitudes.  In 
the  early  years  of  his  career  he  was  identified  with  the  Ameri- 
can party  aad  served  two  years  as  Secretary  of  the  State 
Council  of  that  short-lived  organization.     He  was  selected 


James  W.  Husted,  123 

Town  Superintendent  of  Common  Schools,  in  1855,  on  the 
Know-Xothing  ticket,  and  in  1858  he  was  chosen  by  the  same 
party  as  one  of  the  School  Commissioners  of  Westchester 
county.  But  in  1859  "  Know-Nothingism "  degenerated 
into  a  mere  tender  to  the  Democratic  party  of  the  day,  and 
Mr.  HusTED  became  disgusted  and  left  it,  feeling  justly  that 
he  could  not  consent  to  a  betrayal  of  the  principles  upon 
which  the  party  was  founded. 

During  the  Utica  Convention,  held  in  that  year,  when  the 
"  Hybrid  "  ticket  was  formed,  he  published  a  protest  against 
it  and  joined  the  Republican  party.  In  1860  he  was  appointed 
Deputy  Superintendent  of  the  State  Insurance  Department 
by  Hon.  William  Barnes,  the  then  Superintendent,  and 
during  the  presidential  campaign  of  that  year  was  Vice- 
President  of  the  large  and  flourishing  club  of  Albany  "  Wide 
Awakes,"  of  which  Hon.  J.  Meredith  Read,  Jr.,  now  min- 
ister to  Greece,  wa6  President.  During  this  campaign  Mr. 
Husted  performed  effective  service  for  the  Republican  cause. 
Since  1862  he  has  been  Harbor  Master  of  the  city  of  New 
York,  and,  until  recently,  was  Deputy  Captain  of  the  port. 

In  the  fall  of  1868  Mr.  Husted  was  elected  to  the  Assem- 
bly from  the  Third  district  of  Westchester  county  by  307 
majority.  He  made  an  honorable  record  as  a  debater  and  as 
a  legislator  during  his  first  session,  being  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  on  Federal  Relations,  and  member  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Commerce  and  Navigation.  The  next  year  he  was 
re-elected  by  1,144  majority,  running  837  ahead  of  his  ticket, 
and  41 7  ahead  in  his  own  town.  Since  then  he  has  been 
regularly  re-elected,  his  majority  in  1871  reaching  the  unpre- 
cedented figure  of  1,509.  In  1872,  owing  to  local  compli- 
cations and  the  defection  of  Liberal  Republicans,  it  was 
reduced  to  502,  but  last  fall  he  again  demonstrated  his  popu- 
larity and  astonished  friends  as  well  as  opponents  by  achiev- 
ing a  majority  of  1,864.  He  served  during  the  last  four 
terms  on  the  Committees  on  Commerce  and  Navigation, 
Ways  and  Means,  Grievances,  and  Federal  Relations,  being 


124  Life  Sketches. 

again  Chairman  of  the  latter  Committee  in  1872,  and  Chair- 
man of  Education  in  1873.  In  1872  he  was  also  Chairman 
of  Rules,  Local  and  Special  Laws,  and  Congressional  Appor- 
tionment. In  1873  he  was  Chairman  also  of  Congressional 
Apportionment. 

Gen.  HusTED  has  been  frequently  honored  with  responsible 
positions  by  the  party  to  which  he  belongs,  and  he  in  turn 
has  honored  the  party  with  his  best  efforts,  but  his  sphere  of 
useful  activity  has  not  been  confined  to  politics.  He  is  one 
of  the  most  prominent  members  of  the  Masonic  Fraternity  in 
the  State,  and  has  reached  to  the  highest  honors  in  the  order, 
being  a  member  of  the  Order  of  Knights  Templar,  and 
entitled  to  wear  the  jewel  of  the  33d  degree.  For  several 
years  he  has  held  the  rank  of  D.  D.  C  M.,  and  is  now  Junior 
Grand  Warden.  He  has  also  been  Judge  i^dvocate  on  the 
staff  of  the  Seventh  Brigade,  New  York  State  Militia. 

On  March  26,  1873,  he  was  nominated  by  Gov.  Dix  to  be 
Major-General  of  the  Fifth  Division  of  the  National  Guard, 
in  place  of  Gen.  Gates  who  had  resigned,  and  he  was  imme- 
diately confirmed  by  the  Senate.  The  appointment  was 
universally  recognized  as  an  eminently  fit  one,  and  none  were 
more  hearty  in  their  congratulations  than  his  fellow  mem- 
bers of  the  last  Assembly.  On  the  evening  after  the  announce- 
ment of  his  appointment  the  following  resolution  was  offered 
by  a  Democratic  member,  and  unanimously  adopted: 

Resolved,  That  always  feeling  a  deep  interest  in  the  per- 
sonal and  official  relations  of  our  fellow  members,  and  a  warm 
regard  for  them  individually,  we  desire  to  express  our  heart- 
felt thanks  to  Gov.  Dix  for  his  promotion  of  the  Hon.  James 
W.  HusTED  to  the  command  of  the  military  forces  of  the 
Fifth  Division,  and  that  as  he  has  been  first  in  peace,  we 
know  he  will,  in  the  event  of  a  great  military  necessity,  be 
first  in  war,  and  in  the  future  first  in  the  hearts  of  his  coun- 
trymen. 

The  General's  popularity  among  the  members  of  the 
National  Guard  is  well  shown  by  the  fact  that  he  was  unani- 


James  W.  Husted.  125 

mously  elected,  in  January  last,  as  President  of  the  State 
Military  Association. 

General  Husted  has  enjoyed  a  pre-eminence  among  poli- 
ticians and  legislators  by  reason  of  his  splendid  abilities.  Few 
men  in  the  State  excel  him  in  those  accomplishments  which 
mark  the  successful  statesman.  He  possesses  a  clear  and 
brilliant  intellect,  sound  judgment,  a  ready  off-hand  manner, 
and  is,  withal,  an  acute  reasoner  and  polished  orator;  and 
when  we  add  that  his  gifts  of  mind  and  heart  are  never 
used  to  further  corrupt  or  doubtful  schemes,  we  complete  a 
catalogue  which  is  infinitely  to  the  credit  of  our  subject. 

His  dashing  style  of  debate,  and  the  lightning-like  rapidity 
with  which  he  grasps  the  situation  of  the  moment,  together 
with  his  bold,  concise  and  incisive  mode  of  argument,  and 
sometimes  startling  readiness  at  repartee,  render  him  not  only 
formidable  to  his  opponents,  but  exceedingly  popular  among 
all  classes  of  men.  He  is  a  master  of  the  art  of  sarcasm,  and, 
as  he  usually  veils  his  keen  and  merciless  retorts  in  elegant 
language  and  apt  classical  allusion,  the  wounds  made  by  his 
sharp  thrusts  produce  much  more  pleasure  than  pain,  even  to 
those  upon  whom  they  are  inflicted.  In  the  most  exciting 
passages  of  partisan  debate,  Mr.  Husted  is  ever  courteous 
and  cool,  while  in  argument  he  is  clear,  connected  and  logical, 
his  more  ambitious  speeches  being  frequently  enriched  with 
•pointed  anecdote  and  scholarly  illustration.  He  speaks  very 
rapidly,  and  has  surprising  command  of  language,  while  his 
thorough  knowledge  of  parliamentary  rules  enables  him  to 
be  perfectly  at  home  in  the  most  bewildering  cross-fire  of 
motions  and  counter-motions  characteristic  of  legislative  filli- 
bustering  and  bushwhacking. 

Socially,  the  Speaker  possesses  rare  gifts.  Genial  and 
talented,  a  brilliant  conversationalist,  acd  an  adept  in  all  the 
accomplishments  and  qualities  which  constitute  the  gentle- 
man,^ he  is  peculiarly  fitted  to  ornament  society  and  win 
friendship  and  esteem.  His  unaffected  manners  and  sterling 
qualities  have  rendered  him  extremely  popular  with  the  peo- 


126  Life  Sketches. 

pie  at  large,  while  the  same  traits,  in  connection  with  his 
solid  attainments,  have  secured  him  hosts  of  friends  in  the 
field  of  letters  and  politics.  He  is,  in  every  respect,  an  orna- 
ment to  the  Speaker's  chair. 


HECTOE  ABEEL. 


Very  little  is  known  concerning  the  antecedents  of  Hector 
Abeel,  the  Democratic  Member  from  the  Second  district  of 
Ulster  county.  His  exceeding  modesty  concerning  the  events 
of  his  past  life  is  perhaps  commendable,  but  it  fails  to 
satisfy  the  natural  curiosity  which  will  be  felt  concerning 
him,  now  that  he  has  broken  the  shell  of  his  former  obscurity 
by  becoming  a  Member  of  Assembly.  We  only  know  that 
he  was  born  under  the  shadow  of  the  Oatskill  Mountains,  in 
the  pleasant  riverside  town  of  that  name,  that  he  now  resides 
in  the  village  of  Stone  Eidge,  Ulster  county,  and  that  he 
was  elected  by  some  three  hundred  majority  to  succeed 
Mr.  Brown",  a  Eepublican,  whose  origin  and  personal  history, 
singularly  enough,  was  last  year  involved  in  similar  mystery. 
At  this  writing,  Mr.  Abeel's  character,  as  a  legislator,  has 
not  developed  sufficiently  to  enable  us  to  give  a  very  intel- 
ligible idea  thereof.  He  is  a  short,  somewhat  wiry,  and 
nervous  individual,  with  a  shrill  voice  and  rather  unobtru- 
sive manner.  He  is  evidently  a  man  of  energy  and  determi- 
nation, and  few,  we  imagine,  would  set  him  down  as  other 
than  a  man  of  honest  purpose.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Committee  on  Agriculture. 


Franklin  A.  Alb  erg  er.  127 


FRANKLIN  A.  ALBERGER. 


Few  men  who  figure  in  State  politics  occupy  a  more  con- 
spicuous position  than  the  Member  from  tlie  Third  district  of 
Erie  county ;  and  it  may  also  be  added  that  few  have  been 
identified  to  a  greater  degree  with  the  material  and  com- 
mercial progress  of  the  commonwealth.  Representing  a 
constituency  largely  composed  of  those  connected  with  the 
mercantile  and  shipping  interests,  and  being  himself  one  of 
that  class  for  many  years,  he  has  a  clear  appreciation  of  the 
importance  of  developing  to  the  utmost  every  means  likely 
to  augment  the  commercial  greatness  of  the  State.  His  long 
experience  as  Canal  Commissioner  has  given  him  a  thorough 
insight  into  the  workings  of  the  great  arteries  of  inter-com- 
munication, and  enabled  him  to  fully  understand  their 
relation  to  the  stupendous  eastward  movement  of  the  agri- 
cnltural  products  of  the  great  west.  He  has,  therefore, 
always  been  the  earnest  advocate  of  every  project  which 
commended  itself  to  his  judgment  as  likely  to  effect  an 
increase  in  the  capacity  of  the  canals,  and  enable  them  to 
successfully  compete  with  other  transportation  routes  from 
the  west  to  the  Atlantic  sea-board.  His  views  upon  the  sub- 
ject of  canal  policy  are  not  only  clear  and  decided,  but 
liberal  and  progressive,  and  founded  upon  a  regard  for  the 
best  interests  of  the  State  at  large,  rather  than  of  special 
localities.  Indeed,  his  convictions  upon  every  subject  brought 
before  the  Legislature  are  quickly  and  generally  judiciously 
formed  and  tenaciously  adhered  to.  Enjoying  a  large  busi- 
ness experience,  as  well  as  an  intimate  knowledge  of  State 
affairs,  and  also  of  men  and  events,  Mr.  Alberqer  is  pecul- 
iarly qualified  to  perform  the  duties  of  legislation. 

Born  in  Baltimore,  Md.,  on  the  14th  of  January,  1825,  of 
parents  who  were  both  natives  of  that  city,  Mr.  Alberqeb 


128  Life  Sketches, 

* 

received  a  liberal  education  in  district  and  select  schools. 
He  removed  to  Buffalo  at  the  age  of  17  years,  and  engaged  in 
the  butchering  and  provision  business,  which  he  prosecuted 
successfully  until  the  year  1868.  He  early  became  very 
active  in  the  local  politics  of  Erie  county,  and  was  promi- 
nently identified,  first  with  the  Whig  and  then  with  the 
Republican  party.  It  is  a  notable  fact,  in  this  connection, 
that  he  was  a  member  of  the  last  Whig  convention,  and  also 
of  the  first  Republican  convention  held  in  Erie  county.  He 
was  also  Secretary  of  the  first  Republican  meeting  held  in 
the  city  of  Buffalo,  and  a  member  of  the  first  County  Com- 
mittee of  that  party,  acting  as  its  Treasurer  during  a  period 
of  ten  years.  During  the  native  American  campaigns,  Mr. 
Alberger  was  decided  in  his  hostility  to  the  movement  —  his 
uncompromising  opposition  to  every  thing  savoring  of  Know- 
No  thingism  being  doubtless  still  remembered  by  those  famil- 
iar with  the  political  contests  of  those  days. 

Mr.  Alberger's  known  ability  and  integrity  have  marked 
him  as  peculiarly  a  fit  man  in  almost  any  capacity.  He  has, 
therefore,  often  been  called  upon  to  fill  positions  of  trust  and 
responsibility.  As  early  as  1854,  he  was  elected  an  Alderman 
of  Buffalo,  and  was  re-elected  in  1858  and  1859.  In  1860 
the  people  of  Buffalo  chose  him  as  their  Mayor,  and  so 
acceptably  did  he  fill  the  position  during  the  term  of  two 
years  that  the  eyes  of  the  State  at  large  were  turned  upon 
him,  and  in  1862  he  was  elected  to  the  office  of  Canal  Com- 
missioner, in  which  he  served  six  years,  two  successive  terms, 
being  nominated  each  time  by  acclamation.  Mr.  A.  is  now 
serving  his  fourth  consecutive  term  as  Member  of  Assembly, 
and  it  is  a  sufficient  indication  of  his  growing  popularity  to 
state  that  his  majorities  were,  respectively,  in  1870,  189  ;  in 
1871,  881 ;  in  1872,  1,861 ;  and  in  1873,  1,569. 

Besides  these  public  positions,  strictly  political  in  their 
nature,  Mr.  Alberger  has  held  numerous  private  and  busi- 
ness trusts.  During  the  war,  he  was  Chairman  of  the  Mili- 
tary Relief  Fund  of  the  city  of  Buffalo,  and  was  also  Chair- 


JoH2i  J.  Allen,  129 

man  of  the  committees  charged  with  raising  and  equipping 
the  2l8t  and  49th  Regiments  of  volunteers.  The  last-named 
regiment  was  raised  with  such  celerity  that  it  was  the  first 
completed  regiment  raised  outside  of  New  York  city  under 
the  second  call  for  volunteers. 

As  a  public  speaker,  Mr.  Alberqer  is  forcible  and  fluent. 
His  speeches  usually  bristle  with  a  formidable  array  of  facts 
and  figures,  and  upon  them  he  relies  rather  than  upon  fervid 
eloquence  or  brilliant  rhetoric.  He  takes  part  in  the 
debates  upon  all  questions  which  come  before  the  House, 
and  displays  equal  familiarity  with  his  subject,  whether  it 
relates  to  government,  law,  social  reform  or  commerce.  His 
appointment  as  chairman  of  the  Canal  Committee  of  the 
present  House  was  one  the  fitness  of  which  is  universally 
recognized.  He  is  also  a  vfiluable  member  of  the  Com- 
mittees on  Privileges  and  Elections,  and  Rules,  and  no  mem- 
ber, perhaps,  performs  more  of  the  hard  work  of  legislation 
than  the  tall  and  stately  gentleman  from  Erie.  In  religious 
belief  and  connection  Mr.  Alberger  is  a  Presbyterian,  but 
his  views  on  religion,  as  on  other  subjects,  are  broad  and 
liberal.    He  was  married  June  10,  1847,  to  Miss  Kate  Rice. 


JOHN  J.  ALLEN. 


The  Second  district  of  Kings,  which  generally  sends  capa- 
ble representatives  to  the  capital,  is  this  year  specially  fortu- 
nate. Mr.  Allen,  who  fills  the  seat  allotted  to  that  con- 
stituency, is  a  young  lawyer  of  unusually  brilliant  promise. 
Though  he  has  but  just  passed  his  thirtieth  year,  he  has 
already  achieved  a  fair  legal  reputation,  and  made  a  creditable 
record  in  several  important  public  positions.  He  is  not 
greatly  given  to  speech  making,  but  he  possesses  the  ability 
17 


130  Life  Sketches. 

to  talk  well  on  any  subject;  while  his  ready  tact  and  sound 
judgment  render  him  a  valuable  and  efficient  Member  of  the 
lower  house. 

He  was  born  in  TJtica,  N.  Y.,  on  the  4th  of  August,  1842. 
His  parents  removed  to  Vermont  when  he  was  quite  young, 
however,  and  his  character,  therefore,  bears  somewhat  the 
stamp  of  a  New  England  bringing  up.  His  early  education 
was  received  mainly  in  the  City  Academy  at  Burlington,  and 
it  was  there  that  he  prepared  for  college.  At  the  age  of  six- 
teen he  entered  the  University  of  Vermont,  passed  through 
the  full  course,  and  graduated  with  honor  in  the  year  1862. 
Soon  thereafter  he  commenced  the  study  of  law.  While 
pursuing  his  studies,  a  favorable  opening  presented  itself  in 
New  York  city,  and  proceeding  thither,  he  accepted  a  posi- 
tion upon  the  staff  of  the  Provost  Marshal,  and  during  the 
last  year  of  the  bureau  he  had  entire  charge  of  the  Fourth 
Provost  District.  While  he  was  still  an  incumbent  the 
bureau  was  abolished,  and  ybung  Allen  again  turned  his 
attention  to  his  legal  studies.  He  entered  the  Columbia 
College  Law  School,  acquitted  himself  creditably,  and  grad- 
uated in  1866  with  all  the  honors.  He  at  once  took  high 
rank  as  a  lawyer,  as  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  very  soon 
after  his  graduation  he  received  the  appointment  of  Assistant 
District  Attorney  for  the  eastern  district  of  New  York,  under 
Hon.  Benjamin  D.  Silliman,  the  Republican  candidate  for 
Attorney-General  last  fall,  and  when  Mr.  Silliman  retired^ 
Mr.  Allen  was  continued  in  the  office  under  Benjamin  F. 
Tkacy,  receiving  his  appointment  from  Attorney-General 
EvARTS.  He  held  this  responsible  position  until  March, 
1873,  when  he  resigned,  and  has  since  practiced  his  profes- 
sion in  Brooklyn. 

During  his  residence  in  Brooklyn  Mr.  Allen  has  partici- 
pated actively  in  politics,  and  he  is  widely  known  as  an 
unswerving  Republican,  a  hard  worker,  and  a  man  who  com- 
bines many  elements  of  popularity.  Very  few  Brooklyn  men 
in  public  life  possess  the  confidence  of  the  community  to  a 


Thomas  G.  Alvord.  131 

greater  extent,  and  in  the  third  ward,  where  he  resides,  he  is 
liighly  esteemed  by  all  classes.  He  was  nominated  for  his 
present  position  by  acclamation,  no  other  name  being  even 
mentioned  in  the  convention. 

In  a  speech  which  he  made  after  receiving  the  nomination, 
he  laid  down  a  rule  for  his  own  guidance  which  is  perhaps 
the  best  definition  of  the  duties  of  a  legislator  yet  enunciated. 
After  thanking  his  friends  for  the  honor  they  had  just  con- 
ferred upon  him,  he  informed  them  that  it  would  be  his 
endeavor,  if  elected,  to  execute  the  wishes  of  those  whom  he 
represented,  having  regard  not  to  the  preference  of  any  clique 
or  fjujtion,  but  to  the  best  interests  of  all.  That  expression, 
we  take  it,  presents  the  case  in  a  nutshell,  and  it  would  not 
be  a  bad  idea  if  some  such  sentiment  were  inscribed  promi- 
nently upon  the  walls  of  the  Assembly  chamber.  In  the 
canvass  which  followed  he  ran  500  votes  ahead  of  the  regular 
Republican  ticket,  receiving  a  majority  of  652. 

In  the  assignment  of  committees,  Mr.  Allen  was  placed 
on  Banks  and  State  Charitable  Institutions. 


THOMAS  G.  ALVORD. 


It  seems  well  nigh  a  superfluous  task  to  attempt  a 
biographical  sketch  of  the  venerable  and  well  known  Mem- 
ber from  Onondaga.  The  record  of  his  long  and  honorable 
legislative  career  is  part  of  the  history  of  the  State,  and 
there  ought  to  be  very  few  people  who  need  to  be  told  who 
or  what  he  is.  While  a  member  of  the  Legislature  he  has 
always  ranked  among  its  foremost  men  in  point  of  ability, 
while  his  experience,  tact  and  foresight  have  rendered  him 
an  exceedingly  valuable  and  efficient  member.  His  legisla- 
tive career  has  not  been  distinguished  so  much  for  that 
brilliancy  which  captivates  people  for  a  time  as  for  a  plain 


132  Life  Sketches. 

matter-of-fact  course,  which  has  not  been  greatly  interrupted 
by  mistakes,  and  being  almost  invariably  characterized  by 
those  efforts  which  have  a  telling  effect  upon  men.  There 
is  nothing  visionary  about  Mr.  Alvord.  If  he  theorizes, 
his  theories  are  based  upon  substantial  facts  and  lead  to 
obvious  conclusions,  while  his  views  upon  every  question  are 
well  considered  and  practical.  As  a  "  floor  "  member  of  the 
lower  branch  of  the  Legislature,  Mr.  Alvord  has  had  very 
few,  if  any,  superiors.  He  is  always  at  his  post,  watches 
closely  every  step  in  legislative  progress,  always  has  a  ready 
argument  at  his  tongue's  end,  no  matter  what  the  topic  which 
may  call  it  forth,  is  fertile  in  expedients,  in  ready  replies,  or 
in  daring  parliamentary  manoeuvres,  and  is  in  every  way  a 
shrewd  political  manager  and  formidable  opponent.  Though 
he  is  reputed  to  be  somewhat  unscrupulous  in  his  hostility 
to  men  and  measures,  he  never  seeks  to  gain  an  advantage  by 
the  questionable  tactics  sometimes  resorted  to  by  less  skillful 
politicians.  His  great  strength  lies  in  his  splendid  oratorical 
ability,  his  practical  and  well  nigh  exhaustive  legal  and  politi- 
cal knowledge,  and  his  thorough  mastery  of  parliamentary 
rules.  In  the  latter  respect  he  is  almost  without  a  peer, 
and  his  opinion  upon  points  of  order  is  rarely  questioned  by 
the  most  self-sufficient  opponent. 

Mr.  Alvord  was  born  in  Onondaga,  Onondaga  county,  on 
the  20th  of  December,  1810.  He  is,  therefore,  about  sixty- 
four  years  of  age.  His  father,  Elisha  Alvord,  was  a  mer- 
chant, and  formerly  resided  in  Lansingburgh,  Rensselaer 
county.  The  Alvord  family  are  of  English  descent,  their 
ancestors  emigrating  to  this  country  in  the  year  1638.  His 
mother's  name  was  Helen"  Lansij^g,  of  Holland  ancestry, 
and  both  of  his  grandfathers  were  revolutionary  pensioners,  his 
maternal  grandfather  being  a  captain  in  the  campaign  which 
resulted  in  Burgoyne's  surrender.  The  combination  of  the 
two  national  characteristics — English  and  Dutch — is  quite 
apparent  in  the  subject  of  our  sketch. 

Mr.  Alvord  graduated  from  Yale  College  in  1828,  his 


Thomas  G.  Alvord.  133 

previous  preparatory  education  having  been  gained  at  the 
Lansingburgh  academy.  Having  completed  his  collegiate 
course,  he  studied  law  for  two  years  with  Thomas  A. 
ToMLiNSON  and  George  A.  Simmons,  at  Keeseville,  Essex 
county,  and  one  year  with  Charles  P.  Kirkland  and  \Vm. 
J.  Bacon,  at  Utica,  N.  Y.  He  began  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession January  1,  1833,  at  Salina,  now  the  first  ward  of  the 
city  of  Syracuse,  and  continued  until  1846.  Since  that  time 
he  has  been  a  lumberman  and  salt  manufacturer,  and  has 
been  quite  successful,  though  he  has  devoted  much  of  his 
time  to  politics  and  legislation. 

In  politics  he  was  originally  a  hard-shell  Democrat ;  but 
he  united  with  the  Republicans  in  1864.  When  the  war 
broke  out  he  was  conspicuous  in  his  adherence  to  the  Union 
cause,  and  was  twice  elected  to  the  Assembly  as  a  Union  and 
War  Democrat.  Since  that  time  he  has  been  a  Republican 
of  independent  proclivities.  In  the  Presidential  campaign 
of  1872  he  acted  with  the  Liberals  and  voted  for  Horace 
Greeley.  Though  he  was  elected  to  his  present  position 
mainly  by  Democratic  and  Liberal  votes,  he  made  no  pledges 
and  is  recognized  as  an  independent  Republican  in  the  fullest 
sense.  He  was  first  elected  to  the  Assembly  in  1844,  and  he 
also  served  in  that  body  in  1858,  1862,  1864,  1870,  1871  and 
1872.  He  was  Speaker  of  the  House  in  1858  and  1864,  and 
in  that  capacity  gained  great  popularity. 

In  1864  he  was  elected  Lieutenant-Governor,  running  on 
the  ticket  with  Governor  Fenton,  and  served  through  1865 
and  1866.  As  president  of  the  Senate  he  presided  with  dig- 
nity, judgment  and  discrimination,  ruling  with  uniform 
impartiality,  and  very  generally  winning  the  respect  of  Sena- 
tors of  both  parties.  He  also  represented  his  native  county, 
Onondaga,  in  the  State  Constitutional  Convention  of  1868, 
'69.  In  the  deliberations  of  that  convention,  which  was  com- 
posed of  some  of  the  ablest  gentlemen  in  the  State,  Mr. 
Alvord  played  a  prominent  part  and  won  a  deserved  repu- 
tation as  a  skillful  debater. 


134  Life  Sketches. 

During  his  service  in  the  Assembly,  Mr.  Alvord  has  served 
on  many  of  its  most  important  committees,  having  been 
Chairman  of  Ways  and  Means,  and  member  at  different  times 
of  Canals,  Judiciary,  Grievances  and  others.  In  the  present 
House,  notwithstanding  his  somewhat  equivocal  political 
position,  he  is  on  the  "Ways  and  Means  and  Canal  Commit- 
tees. His  vote  in  the  recent  canvass  stood  2,851  against  2,571 
for  Wm.  H.  H.  Gere,  by  whom  he  was  defeated  in  1872  by 
over  four  hundred  majority. 


JOHN  P.  BADGER. 


John"  Peaslee  Badger,  who  is  now  serving  his  second 
term,  was  born  in  Ossipee,  Carroll  county,  N.  H.,  August  3, 
1834.  He  is  a  son  of  Wm.  P.  C.  Badger,  a  native  of  Comp- 
ton,  P.  Q.,  but  born  of  American  parents.  While  yet  in 
early  infancy  he  came  with  his  parents  to  this  State,  and  is 
consequently  a  New  Yorker  to  all  intents  and  purposes.  His 
father  and  mother  are  still  living  in  comfortable  circum- 
stances, the  former  being  about  sixty  years  of  age.  Young 
Badger  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and  though 
his  early  life  was  spent  upon  the  farm  and  in  a  country 
store,  of  which  he  was  proprietor  for  several  years,  he 
availed  himself  of  every  opportunity  to  prepare  himself  for 
the  legal  profession,  to  which  he  looked  forward  as  his  chosen 
pursuit.  He  finally  entered  the  Albany  Law  School,  gradu- 
ated with  credit  in  November,  1871,  and  shortly  afterward 
was  admitted  to  the  bar.  Since  that  time  he  has  practiced 
law  with  success,  already  taking  a  respectable  rank  among 
the  lawyers  of  his  county. 

Mr.  Badger  learned  his  first  political  lessons  in  the  Amer- 
ican party,  and  was  an  ardent  member  of  that  party  during 


John  P.  Badger.  135 

its  brief  existence,  voting  for  Millard  Fillmore  for  Presi- 
dent. When  its  elements  were  scattered  he  identified  himself 
with  the  Republicans,  with  whom  he  has  continued  to  act  up 
to  the  present  time.  He  is  constitutionally  quite  an  active 
man,  and  has  therefore  been  a  participant  in  Franklin  county 
politics  for  a  number  of  years  past.  Twice  he  has  been 
elected  to  represent  his  town  in  the  Board  of  Supervisors  — 
in  1870  and  1872.  Though  his  town  was  formerly  Demo- 
cratic, he  carried  it  when  first  elected  by  a  majority  of  ^"Z. 
In  his  second  canvass  his  majority  was  46,  in  a  total  vote  of 
300 ;  and  in  the  fall  of  1872  he  carried  it  in  the  Assembly 
canvass  by  the  gratifying  majority  of  141,  his  entire  majority 
in  the  county  over  W.  W.  Paddock,  being  1,214,  or  about 
40  votes  ahead  of  the  Stat-e  ticket.  Last  fall  his  majority 
over  Baker  Stevens  was  1,067,  the  majority  for  the  State 
ticket  being  about  900.  These  figures  speak  well  for  the 
popularity  of  the  Franklin  county  Member  at  home. 

Mr.  Badger's  frank  and  modest  deportment  and  evident 
ability  attracted  popular  regard  very  early  in  the  last  session. 
He  developed  great  aptitude  for  legislative  duties,  being  not 
only  an  excellent  speaker,  but  an  invaluable  committeeman. 
As  member  of  the  Committees  on  State  Prisons,  Federal 
Relations,  and  Engrossed  Bills,  he  made  an  excellent  record. 
This  year  he  is  Chairman  of  State  Prisons,  and  member  of 
Grievances  and  Sub-committee  of  the  Whole. 

He  is  a  consistent  and  earnest  member  of  the  Methodist 
church,  and  possesses  a  character  entirely  above  reproach. 
He  was  married  in  January,  1855,  to  Miss  Emily  E.  Phelps. 


136  Life  Sketches. 


GEORGE  BARROW. 


George  Barrow  was  born  in  the  brick  house,  still  stand- 
ing, on  the  north-east  corner  of  Clinton  and  Henrj 
streets,  New  York  city,  March  14, 1839.  He  is  a  direct  lineal 
descendant  of  Robert  Barrow,  who  was  baptised  at  Cart- 
mel  Priory  church,  Lancashire,  England,  in  the  year  1530. 
The  records  of  this  church  (endowed  by  the  Earl  of  Pem- 
broke, A.  D.  1187),  do  not  extend  back  of  this  period. 
JoHi^r  Barrow,  the  grandfather  of  Mr.  Barrow,  left  Lan- 
cashire early  in  life  for  the  West  Indies,  but  shortly  after- 
ward came  to  Long  Island,  and  subsequently  for  many  years 
resided  upon  Pearl  street,  then  a  fashionable  street  in  the 
city  of  New  York,  engaged  in  manufacturing,  and  afterward 
in  insurance,  as  President  of  the  City  Eire  insurance  Com- 
pany of  New  York.  John^  Barrow,  the  father,  was  born 
here  in  1797,  and,  at  the  age  of  twenty-five  years,  was 
married  to  Elizabeth  M.  Prior,  who  became  the  mother 
of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  and  nine  other  children.  Joh]^ 
Barrow  died  in  February  last,  at  an  advanced  age  and 
greatly  respected.  Elizabeth  M.  Prior  is  a  lineal  descend- 
ant of  Edmund  Prior.  He  was  a  sterling  old  Quaker  of 
anti-slavery  fame,  a  puritan  preacher,  who  came  to  America 
shortly  after  the  arrival  of  the  Mayflower.  Subsequently 
his  family  espoused  the  faith  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  and 
removed,  for  greater  religious  freedom,  to  the  vicinity  of 
Huntington,  Long  Island.  Edmukd  Prior,  grandfather  of 
Mr.  Barrow,  was  a  banker  and  merchant,  residing  in  New 
York  city,  doing  an  extensive  business,  and  having  among 
his  customers  such  men  as  Baron  Steuben",  La  Fayette,  etc. 

Four  of  the  brothers  of  Mr.  Barrow  died  in  early  man- 
hood. Edmund  P.  Barrow,  who  attained  the  greatest  age 
of  the  four,  was  at  the  age  of  twenty -four  a  Member  of  the 


Oeorge  Barrow.       '  137 

Assembly  of  1854,  from  the  Fifth  New  York  district,  elected 
on  a  reform  ticket.  He  died  in  the  year  1857,  at  the  age  of 
twenty-eight.  Mr.  Barrow's  mother  is  still  living  in  good 
health,  at  the  age  of  seventy-eight  years. 

The  only  educational  advantages  of  Mr.  Barrow  have 
been  common  school,  with  one  or  two  terms  at  private 
school,  and  the  general  advantages  of  a  cultured  home.  He 
studied  law  in  the  office  of  Benoni  Lee,  Esq.,  at  Skane- 
ateles,  and  subsequently  in  the  office  of  Sedgwick,  Andrews 
&  Kennedy,  at  Syracuse,  and  was  admitted  to  practice 
October  4,  1860.  Since  that  time  he  has  practiced  law  at 
Skaneateles  with  good  success.  He  became  interested  in 
politics  at  the  time  of  the  formation  of  the  Republican  party, 
and  has  since  been  an  active  and  ardent  Republican,  inclined 
to  partisanship  rather  than  liberalism.  He  has  held  several 
town  offices.  In  1863,  he  was  elected  justice  of  the  peace  for 
the  town  of  Skaneateles,  but  the  office  interfering  with  the 
practice  of  his  profession,  he  resigned  it  the  same  year.  In 
1865,  his  name  was  presented  to  the  Republican  convention 
for  member  of  Assembly,  but  Mr.  Ranny,  a  former  member, 
was  renominated  by  a  majority  of  one.  He  has  repeatedly 
been  a  member  of  the  Republican  County  Committee,  and, 
during  several  active  campaigns,  a  "  Stump  speaker." 

During  the  late  war  Mr.  Barrow  was  an  active  home- 
worker,  his  office  for  about  two  years  being  practically  a 
recruiting  office. 

In  the  canvass  of  last  fall  two  candidates  were  arrayed 
against  him,  Mathias  Brixton,  Democrat,  and  Daniel 
PiNCKNEY,  Temperance.  He  received  a  plurality,  however, 
of  279,  and  a  majority  over  both  of  33.  In  the  House  he  is 
a  member  of  the  Committees  on  Villages,  Banks,  and  En- 
grossed Bills. 

Mr.  Barrow  was  married  September  29, 1863,  to  Caroline 

M.  Tyler  of  Skaneateles.    He  is  a  member  of  the  Protestant 

Episcopal  Church.     He  has  been  a  frequent  contributor  of 

editorials  to  the  public  journals,  and  as  a  writer  of  fiction 

18 


138  Life  Sketches. 

has  contributed  to  the  Atlantic  Mo7ithly  and  other  leading 
magazines. 

Mr.  Barrow  is  a  fluent  and  agreeable  speaker,  and  a 
man  of  varied  learning.  During  his  student  life  his  inclina- 
tions were  of  a  literary  nature,  and  he  frequently  lectured 
before  the  lyceums  and  literary  societies  of  his  own  and 
neighboring  towns.  He  possesses  in  a  large  degree  those 
qualities  of  head  and  heart  which  win  favor  and  popularity, 
and  he  evidently  has  a  brilliant  career  yet  before  him.  In 
business  matters  he  is  the  soul  of  honor,  and  socially  he  is 
genial  and  companionable  —  a  cultivated  and  courteous 
gentleman.  His  constituency  may  well  felicitate  itself  upon 
being  well  and  effectively  represented  at  the  capitol  this  year. 


BENJAMIK  J.  BASSETT. 


The  subject  of  this  notice  is  a  plain  substantial  farmer, 
and  has  been  such  all  his  life.  He  has  always  been  of  the 
opinion  that  a  vigorous  and  persistent  appeal  to  "  mother 
earth "  is  certain  to  open  up  the  most  reliable  source  of 
income,  and  his  experience  has  been  such  as  to  demonstrate 
the  correctness  of  that  opinion,  as  he  has  succeeded  in  secur- 
ing and  acquiring  a  handsome  competency  for  himself  and 
family.  He  was  born  at  Walton,  his  present  place  of  resi- 
dence, in  the  year  1812,  and  was  the  son  of  the  Eev.  Archi- 
bald and  Keziah  Bassett,  who  were  natives  of  Litchfield, 
Conn.  Both  his  parents  are  now  dead.  Though  he  was 
brought  up  on  a  farm  from  early  youth,  he  received  a  liberal 
common  school  and  academic  education.  In  1837  he  mar- 
ried Mary  L.  Bentoit  at  Hudson,  Columbia  county. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Bassett  was  from  the  first  an  anti-slavery 
Democrat.    He  was  a  member  of  the  State  convention  which 


Benjamin  J.  Bassett.  139 

met  in  Utica  on  the  memorable  2l8t  of  October,  1835,  for 
the  purpose  of  forming  a  State  anti-slavery  society.  Many 
residents  of  Utica  still  possess  a  vivid  remembrance  of  that 
gathering.  It  met  in  a  church,  and  had  hardly  began  its 
deliberations  before  it  was  broken  up  by  a  mob  composed  of 
"gentlemen  of  property  and  standing,"  and  headed  by  cer- 
tain high  officials.  This  outrage  upon  the  rights  of  free 
speech  produced  its  inevitable  fruit,  however,  as  the  senti- 
ment of  hostility  to  the  "  institution  "  continued  from  that 
time  to  gather  strength.  Since  then  Mr.  Bassett  never 
swerved  in  his  antagonism  to  slavery,  and  usually,  previous 
to  1855,  acted  with  the  Barnburner  branch  of  the  Democ- 
racy. On  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party  he 
promptly  gave  it  his  hearty  support,  and  has  steadily  acted 
with  it  up  to  the  present  time,  uniformly  urging  economy 
in  the  administration  of  government,  and  strongly  opposing 
any  thing  in  the  nature  of  '*  salary  grabbing,"  or  pilfering 
from  the  public  in  any  manner. 

He  has  held  various  civil  offices  in  his  town  and  district, 
and,  in  1869,  was  a  Member  of  Assembly,  being  upon  the 
Committee  of  Ways  and  Means.  He  has  also  filled  with 
credit  various  positions  in  the  New  York  State  National 
Guard,  from  the  minor  offices  to  Brigadier  General. 

In  religious  sentiment  and  profession  Mr.  Bassett  is  a 
Presbyterian,  but  he  is  quite  tolerant  in  his  views,  and  favors 
the  largest  degree  of  freedom  of  opinion  and  action  in  regard 
to  religious  matters,  believing  that  it  is  always  safe  to  trust 
the  truth  in  open  conflict  with  error. 


140  Life  Sketches. 


GEOEGE  S.  BATCHELLEB. 


Gen.  Batcheller  is  well  entitled  to  rank  among  the  most 
distinguished  Members  of  the  Assembly.  His  rare  social 
qualities,  splendid  abilities  and  personal  magnetism  have  also 
placed  him  among  the  most  popular  members,  and  it  is  safe 
to  assert  that  there  are  few  men,  whether  in  or  out  of  the 
capitol,  who  occupy  a  higher  place  in  public  estimation  than 
Gen.  George  S.  Batcheller.  He  was  born  in  Batchellerville, 
Saratoga  county,  July  25,  1837,  and  is,  therefore,  nearly 
thirty-seven  years  of  age.  He  is  descended  from  a  some- 
what illustrious  ancestry.  His  father's  family  were  originally 
Irish,  and  went  to  Spain  with  the  O'Donohue.  From  thence, 
after  several  generations,  their  descendants  found  their  way 
to  this  country,  and  settled  in  Massachusetts.  Gen.  B.'s 
father,  Sherman  Batcheller,  was  born  in  Vermont,  and 
was  a  nephew  of  Roger  Sherman",  one  of  the  signers  of  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  and  was  also  related,  though 
distantly,  to  Daniel  Webster's  family.  He  died  suddenly 
in  1862.  The  General's  mother  was  of  English  descent,  and 
a  native  of  Massachusetts.  Gen.  Batcheller  is  a  thoroughly 
educated  gentleman,  having  graduated  at  Harvard  University, 
and  received  the  degree  of  LL.  B.  from  the  law  school  of  that 
institution.  He  entered  Harvard  in  the  junior  year,  but  was 
obliged  to  limit  his  course,  though  he  was  enabled  to  complete 
the  scientific  course  successfully,  receiving  a  diploma  which 
entitles  him  to  the  degree  of  Ph.  B.  In  1858,  about  a  year 
after  leaving  college,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar,  and  soon 
rose  to  eminence  in  his  profession.  In  the  fall  of  the  same 
year,  he  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  from  the  same  district 
now  represented  by  him.  This  proved  the  stepping-stone  to 
what  is  as  yet  an  uncompleted  career  of  brilliant  and  honor- 
able public  service. 


George  S.  Batcheller.  141 

Two  or  three  years  later,  the  war  of  the  rebellion  broke  out. 
He  entered  the  volunteer  service,  acting  as  Major  until  he 
was  commissioned  as  Lieutenant-Colonel  in  the  One  Hun- 
dred and  Fifteenth  New  York  Volunteers,  and,  though  but 
recently  married,  he  went  to  the  front  with  that  command. 
He  participated  in  all  the  battles  and  skirmishes  in  which 
the  reginient  was  engaged,  until  he  was  taken  prisoner  at 
Harper's  Ferry,  in  September  of  the  same  year.  Early  in 
1863  he  was  exchanged,  and  received  the  appointment  of 
Deputy  Provost-Marshal-General  in  the  department  of  the 
South.  He  held  this  responsible  position,  having  under  his 
charge  all  the  civil  and  military  matters  pertaining  to  that 
office,  in  those  portions  of  South  Carolina,  Georgia  and 
Florida  within  our  lines,  until  the  winter  of  1864,  serving 
under  Generals  Haunter,  Gilmore,  Seymour  and  others. 
Subsequently  he  was  transferred  to  Elmira  to  look  after 
drafted  men  for  his  department,  and  there  honorably  dis- 
charged from  the  service,  receiving  the  rank  of  brevet-Colonel. 

In  1865  he  was  appointed  Inspector-General  on  the  staff  of 
Governor  Fenton",  and  held  the  position  during  the  four 
years'  administration  of  that  official.  While  Inspector-Gen- 
eral, he  reorganized  the  National  Guard  throughout  the  State, 
and,  as  President  of  the  Auditing  Board,  examined  and  pre- 
sented to  the  general  government  claims  of  the  State  for 
organizing  volunteer  forces,  amounting  to  several  hundred 
thousand  dollars,  which  the  United  States  has  since  allowed 
and  paid. 

In  1868  he  ran  as  Grant  elector  for  the  Eighteenth,  now 
Nineteenth,  Congressional  district  Since  1868  Gen.  Batch- 
eller has  applied  himself  diligently  to  his  profession,  and 
to  the  enjoyment  of  those  home  pleasures  to  which  he  had 
almost  become  a  stranger.  In  the  fall  of  1872,  however,  the 
Republicans  of  his  district  tendered  him,  with  one  accord, 
the  nomination  for  the  Assembly,  and,  after  a  lively  canvass, 
he  was  elected  a  Member  of  that  body  by  the  largest  majority 
ever  given  in  the  district,  although  his  opponent,  Charles 


142  Life  Sketches. 

H.  HoLDEisr,  was  an  agent  of  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal 
Company,  and  backed  by  the  influence  of  that  organization, 
the  managers  of  which  made  special  efforts  to  elect  him. 
Speaker  Cornell  paid  a  marked  compliment  to  Gen.  B.'s 
sagacity  and  knowledge  of  State  affairs,  by  selecting  him  as 
Chairman  of  the  Canal  Committee,  and  also  placing  him  on 
the  Committee  on  Militia. 

In  the  fall  of  1873  he  received  the  unusual  compliment  of 
a  re-election  without  opposition,  and,  as  Chairman  of  the 
Ways  and  Means  committee,  and  also  as  member  of  Militia, 
and  Privileges  and  Elections,  occupies  what  is  usually 
regarded  as  the  leading  position  in  the  House. 

Gen.  Batcheller  is  a  man  of  fine  figure,  polished  manners 
and  pleasant  address.  Courteous  alike  to  friends  and  oppo- 
nents, he  is  in  every  respect  the  affable  and  genial  gentleman. 
With  fine  oratorical  powers  and  rare  forensic  ability,  he 
unites  a  ready  appreciation  of  legislative  requirements,  and 
is,  therefore,  a  skillful  and  effective  debater.  He  is  at  all 
times  keenly  alive  to  the  welfare  of  his  immediate  constitu- 
ents, but  he  is  as  watchful  of  the  interests  of  the  entire  State, 
and  every  measure  designed  to  effect  genuine  reform  in  State 
or  municipal  government,  or  likely  to  advance  the  commer- 
cial prosperity  of  the  commonwealth,  invariably  enlists  his 
sympathy,  and,  should  his  judgment  approve,  his  enthusiastic 
advocacy.  Few  men  in  the  State  enjoy  a  larger  measure  of 
personal  popularity,  or  have  yet  before  them  a  more  promis- 
ing future.  Gen.  Batcheller  was  married,  in  1861,  to  the 
daughter  of  the  late  Hon.  James  M.  Cook. 


George  M.  Bee  be.  143 


GEORGE  M.  BEEBE. 


Gkorge  Monroe  Beebe  was  born  in  New  Vernon,  Orange 
county,  on  the  28th  of  October,  1836.  He  is  the  son  of  Gil- 
bert Beebe,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  who,  still  living  in 
Midclletown,  Orange  county,  at  the  advanced  age  of  72,  is 
actively  engaged  in  the  varied  occupation  of  preaching  the 
gospel  and  publishing  the  Signs  of  the  Ti?neSy  a  religious 
newspaper.  Mr.  Beebe  secured  a  good  education  at  the 
common  schools  and  at  the  Wallkill  Academy,  Middletown, 
graduating  from  the  latter  in  1854.  Next  year  he  commenced 
studying  law  in  the  oflBce  of  Geo.  W.  Lord,  in  Monticello, 
attending,  in  the  mean  time,  the  requisite  courses  of  lectures, 
and  graduated  from  the  Albany  Law  University,  in  1857, 
with  the  degree  of  Bachelor  of  Law.  A  year  later  he  went 
to  Peoria,  111.,  where,  on  the  recommendation  of  Stephen  A. 
Douglas,  he  had  been  selected  to  edit  a  Democratic  daily 
newspaper.  Though  young  in  years,  he  was  an  earnest  and 
spirited  writer,  and  rendered  efficient  service  in  the  memora- 
ble campaign  of  1858,  accompanying  Douglas  in  his  famous 
tour  of  discussion  with  Abraham  Lincoln.  At  the  close 
of  the  campaign  he  settled  in  Troy,  Kansas,  and  commenced 
practicing  law  in  earnest.  He  succeeded  in  making  himself 
80  popular  there  that,  in  about  a  year,  he  was  elected,  notwith- 
standing his  pronounced  Democracy,  to  represent  the  Repub- 
lican county  of  Doniphan  in  the  Territorial  Council.  While 
still  a  member  of  the  Council,  he  was  appointed  Secretary 
of  the  Territory  by  President  Buchanan.  Subsequently,  by 
the  resignation  of  Gov.  Medary,  he  became  acting  Governor, 
and  although  he  had  not  yet  completed  his  twenty-third 
year,  he  was  continued  in  the  position  by  the  President  until 
Kansas  was  admitted  into  the  Union. 

In  1861  he  married  Cornelia,  the  eldest  daughter  of 


144  Life  Sketches, 

James  H.  Foster,  of  Monticello.  Subsequently,  he  practiced 
law  during  a  year  or  more  at  St.  Joseph,  Mo.,  but  in  August, 
1862,  he  went  overland  to  Virginia  City,  Nevada,  where  he 
again  "nailed  up  his  shingle  "  as  an  Attorney  and  Counselor 
at  law.  Wherever  he  located,  he  gained  speedy  popularity. 
In  1864,  when  Nevada  was  admitted  as  a  State,  we  find  Mr. 
Beebe  the  nominee  of  a  Democratic  Convention  for  District 
Judge,  for  which  olSice  he  was  defeated  by  a  small  majority. 
Subsequently  he  declined  the  appointment  of  United  States 
Internal  Revenue  Collector  for  Nevada,  which  was  tendered 
by  President  Johnson",  but  he  consented  to  represent  the  new 
State  in  the  Philadelphia  Convention  of  1866.  In  October 
of  that  year  he  purchased  the  Monticello  Watchman,  a  Demo- 
cratic journal,  and  removing  at  once  to  Monticello,  he  has 
since  conducted  that  paper  with  marked  ability  and  success. 
In  the  fall  of  1871,  Mr.  Beebe  was  the  Democratic  nominee 
in  the  Orange  and  Sullivan  district  for  the  State  Senate,  and 
took  strong  ground  against  the  use  of  money  in  elections, 
tendering  a  public  challenge  to  his  opponent  to  unite  with 
him  in  a  pledge  not  to  use  money  in  the  canvass.  He  was 
beaten,  however,  Hon.  E.  M.  Madden",  the  present  Senator 
from  that  district,  being  successful.  In  the  spring  of  1872, 
he  was  a  delegate  to  the  Rochester  Convention,  and  strongly 
opposed  the  policy  of  indorsing  Greeley.  He  also  fought 
the  idea  with  warmth  and  earnestness  in  his  paper ;  but  after 
the  Baltimore  Convention,  being  left  with  the  only  alternative 
of  "  Grant  or  Greeley,"  he  felt  constrained  to  support  the 
latter.  He  was  also  sent  as  a  Delegate  to  the  Syracuse  Con- 
vention of  1872,  and  was  unanimously  chosen  its  permanent 
President,  in  which  position  he  displayed  marked  ability  as  a 
presiding  officer.  He  took  active  part  in  the  subsequent  cam- 
paign, stumping  the  State  for  the  Liberal-Democratic  ticket. 
His  nomination  for  the  Assembly  the  same  year  was  made  by 
acclamation  in  both  the  Liberal  and  Democratic  Conventions, 
and  he  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  664,  though  the  county 
gave  Grant  a  majority  of  some  200.    He  was  also  temporary 


Harris  H.  Beecher,  145 

President  of  the  Democratic  Convention  at  Utica  in  1873, 
and  was  re-elected  to  the  Assembly  almost  without  opposi- 
tion. James  Hardenbueqh  was  in  the  field  against  him, 
but  he  received  only  415  votes  out  of  3,358  cast.  Mr.  Beebe 
served  last  session  on  the  committees  on  Ways  and  Means, 
Privileges  and  Elections,  and  Local  and  Special  Laws.  This 
year,  though  a  member  of  the  minority,  he  serves  on  Ways 
and  Means,  Canals,  Militia,  and  Local  and  Special  Laws. 

As  will  be  gathered  from  this  sketch,  Mr.  Beebe  is,  and 
always  has  been,  an  unflinching  Democrat.  On  first  enter- 
ing the  Assembly  he  assumed  a  prominent  position  among 
the  members  of  the  "  opposition,"  and  his  career  as  a  legis- 
lator has  been  thus  far  a  most  brilliant  one.  Possessing  rare 
oratorical  powers,  he  is  cool,  incisive  and  compact  in  argu- 
ment, thinks  rapidly,  and  is  prompt,  either  in  availing  him- 
self of  the  weak  points  of  his  opponent,  or  in  arranging  his 
own  line  of  attack  or  defense.  He  is  frequently  strongly 
denunciatory  in  his  speeches,  using,  in  his  polished  invective, 
the  plainest  and  at  the  same  time  the  most  cutting  words  in 
the  language.  He  is  also  master  of  the  art  of  sarcasm,  and 
often  covers  an  antagonist  with  confusion  by  a  deftly  hurled 
shaft  of  ridicule.  The  Member  from  Sullivan  is  justly  con- 
sidered one  of  the  most  forcible  and  efiective  debaters  in  the 
present  House. 


HARRIS  H.  BEECHER. 


The  paternal  parent  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  Parson" 
Beecher,  was  among  the  earlier  pioneers  of  Chenango 
county,  removing  from  the  parish  of  Salem,  Connecticut, 
now  Naugatuck,  in  the  year  1806,  and  locating  in  Coventry, 
New  York.  Like  many  of  the  earlier  settlers,  fearing  the 
miasmatic  diseases  and  reputed  sickness  of  the  low  lands  and 
river  courses,  he  sought  out  an  elevated  location,  between  the 
19 


146  Life  Sketches. 

Chenango  and  Susquehanna  rivers,  embracing,  originally,  one 
hundred  acres  of  wilderness  land.  In  January,  1808,  he 
married  Margaket  Porter,  an  intelligent  and  interesting 
young  woman  of  his  native  town — now  living,  at  the  ad- 
vanced age  of  ninety,  with  mind  unimpaired  —  and  removed 
her  to  a  log  cabin  in  his  forest  home.  Eoads  were  designated, 
principally,  by  marked  trees,  while  churches,  schools,  mills 
and  neighbors  even,  if  not  wholly  unknown,  were  like  angels' 
visits,  "  few  and  far  between."  The  second  year  of  his  advent 
at  Coventry,  the  Catskill  and  Ithaca  turnpike  was  located 
through  the  scattered  clearing  of  that  wilderness  region,  and 
it  subsequently  became  an  important  highway,  between  the 
then  "far  west"  and  the  Hudson  river.  The  first  framed 
house,  upon  what  was  known  as  the  "Livingston  Tract," 
and  the  first  between  Bainbridge  and  Greene,  a  distance  of 
sixteen  miles,  was  built  by  Parsojst  Beecher.  Town  meet- 
ings and  elections  were  then  regularly  held,  as  well  as  stated 
preaching  every  fourth  Sabbath. 

Upon  that  homestead,  in  the  enjoyment  of  such  educa- 
tional advantages  as  a  limited  income  would  allow,  a  large 
family  was  reared  to  usefulness,  honesty  and  sobriety,  and 
among  them  the  present  Member  of  the  House  from  Che- 
nango. His  boyhood  days  were  not  unlike  those  of  other 
lads  similarly  circumstanced,  and  were  divided  between  the 
district  school  and  the  farm. 

Having  been  incapacitated  for  manual  labor  from  an  injury 
producing  painful  and  protracted  lameness,  at  the  age  of 
some  sixteen  years  he  was  sent  to  Oxford  Academy,  one  of  the 
oldest  and  best  institutions  of  the  kind  in  the  State.  Here 
he  remained  some  four  years,  teaching  at  intervals,  to  defray 
in  part  the  expenses  necessarily  incurred. 

Becoming  somewhat  advanced  in  a  college  course,  which 
he  could  not  pursue  for  lack  of  funds,  he  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  medicine  as  the  business  of  his  life.  His  medical 
studies  were  pursued  in  Coventry,  under  the  instruction  ot 
different  practictioners,  and  subsequently,  in  Bingham  ton,  in 


Harris  H.  Beecher.  147 

the  office  of  doctor,  now  Professor  Davis  of  Chicago,  teach- 
ing, in  the  meantime,  not  having  been  wholly  relinquished. 
About  the  year  1848,  Dr.  Beecher  graduated  in  medicine, 
at  Castleton,  Vermont,  and  finally  located  in  North  Norwich, 
where  he  practiced  his  profession  for  many  years.  In  1861, 
the  doctor  removed  to  Norwich,  which  is  his  present  home. 

In  the  summer  of  1862,  the  call  for  300,000  more  men  to 
suppress  the  Rebellion  found  Dr.  Beecher  actively  engaged 
in  practice  at  the  county  seat  of  Chenango.  He  at  once 
interested  himself  in  the  recruiting  service,  and  further 
showed  his  faith  by  his  works  in  accompanying,  as  a  medical 
officer,  the  brave  boys  of  the  114th  New  York  to  the  front. 
By  his  assiduous  attention  and  sympathetic  heart,  he  became 
deservedly  popular  with  the  men  and  won  the  esteem  of  all. 
For  nearly  nine  months.  Surgeon  Beecher  was  on  duty,  by 
order  of  Gen.  Banks,  at  the  U.  S.  Marine  General  Hospital, 
New  Orleans,  and  also  for  several  months  in  charge  of  a  Post 
Hospital  at  Berwick  City,  La.,  containing  a  large  number  of 
wounded  from  the  battle  field  of  Bisland.  Before  leaving  the 
Marine  Hospital,  for  the  famous  Red  River  campaign,  he  was 
presented,  by  the  soldiers  of  that  hospital,  with  an  elegant 
gold-headed  cane,  and  other  valuable  tokens  of  their  appreci- 
ation and  regard.  In  the  Shenandoah,  during  the  closing 
year  of  the  war,  he  was  most  of  the  time  the  only  medical 
officer,  with  his  regiment,  in  the  field. 

While  yet  young,  Mr.  Beecher  exhibited  quite  a  literary 
taste,  and  early  commenced  writing  upon  miscellaneous  sub- 
jects for  the  newspaper  press,  which,  in  the  midst  of  other 
duties,  he  has  continued  more  or  less  constantly  to  the  present 
time. 

His  "Army  Correspondence,"  published  mainly  in  the 
papers  of  his  district,  was  eagerly  sought  for  and  read  with 
interest. 

After  the  war,  desiring  that  the  noble  deeds  of  his  brave 
comrades  should  live  in  history  as  well  as  in  the  hearts  of  a 
grateful  people  and  surviving  friends.  Dr.  Beecher  pub- 


148  Life  Sketches. 

lished  a  Record  of  his  Regiment,  embracing  nearly  600  pages, 
dedicated  to  the  memory  of  his  lamented  Colonel  Smith 
and  all  his  fallen  comrades,  graphically  setting  forth,  as  the 
title  page  indicates,  "  Where  it  went,  what  it  saw  and  what 
it  did."  The  author  of  that  comprehensive  Record  has  also 
spent  much  time  and  made  considerable  progress  in  gathering 
facts  and  data  for  a  Memorial  Record,  portions  of  which 
have  been  published,  of  all  the  deceased  soldiers  of  the  late 
war,  nearly  1000,  in  Chenango  county. 

Without  laying  any  special  claim  to  oratory.  Dr.  Beecher 
has,  on  various  occasions,  given  carefully  prepared  addresses, 
embracing  medicine,  agriculture,  scientific  and  political  sub- 
jects, and  always  with  success.  He  takes  a  deep  interest  in 
educational  matters,  having  held  the  position  of  School 
Superintendent,  long  serving  also  as  a  Trustee  of  Norwich 
Academy  and  President  of  the  Board. 

As  a  medical  man  he  stands  deservedly  high,  having  filled 
various  offices  in  the  medical  society  of  his  county,  being  at 
the  present  time  a  member  of  the  State  Society,  and  a 
permanent  member  of  the  New  York  Central  and  American 
Medical  Associations. 

In  politics.  Dr.  Beecher  was  reared  a  Democrat  and  was 
known  during  the  rebellion  as  a  War  Democrat.  The  atti- 
tude of  the  Democratic  party  in  1868,  in  his  opinion,  not 
only  justified,  but  to  be  consistent  with  himself  and  his 
record  as  a  soldier,  demanded  a  severance  from  it.  It  was  a 
severe  trial  to  cut  loose  from  old  political  associations,  many 
of  whom  were  his  personal  friends,  but  having  deliberately 
decided  as  to  his  duty,  no  sacrifice,  in  its  discharge,  was  too 
dear  to  make.  He  spoke  and  voted  for  General  Gran^t,  and 
has  since  firmly  upheld  the  principles  of  the  Republican 
party. 

Dr.  Beecher  was  elected  over  two  opposing  candidates, 
after  a  spirited  contest,  by  a  plurality  of  136  votes.  He 
serves  on  the  Committees  on  Public  Health,  Public  Educa- 
tion and  Joint  Library.    Watchful  as  a  legislator,  he  is  not 


George  C,  Bennett,  149 

ambitious  to  distinguish  himself  as  a  debater,  though  on 
several  occasions  he  has  given  able  expression  to  his  views. 
Dr.  Beecheb  is  one  of  the  bachelors  of  the  House. 


GEORGE  C.  BENNETT. 


The  Eighth  District  of  Kings  county  is  fortunate  in  being 
again  represented  by  Mr.  George  C.  Bennett,  who  is  an 
energetic  and  wide-awake  journalist,  and  ever  alive  to  the 
welfare  of  his  constituency.  The  Assembly  of  1872  con- 
tained no  more  conscientious  or  industrious  Member,  and  a 
similar  devotion  to  the  public  interests  marks  his  course 
thus  far  during  the  present  session.  He  was  born  in  London 
on  the  24th  of  September,  1824,  and  emigrated  to  this 
country  in  the  summer  of  1836,  being  then  not  quite  twelve 
years  of  age.  His  only  relative  in  this  country  was  an  uncle. 
On  his  arrival  in  the  New  World,  he  engaged  himself  to  a 
cabinet  maker,  with  whom  he  remained  three  years.  The 
labor  Wiis  not  to  his  liking,  however,  and  he  tried  a  year  at 
farming  with  his  uncle,  who  resided  in  Morris  county.  New 
Jersey,  and  finally,  in  the  spring  of  1841,  he  was  employed 
by  John  "W.  Oliver  to  learn  the  printing  business.  With 
Mr.  Oliver,  who  is  still  in  business  in  New  York  city,  and 
still  his  warm  friend,  he  remained  eight  or  nine  months, 
when  he  was  regularly  apprenticed  to  a  firm  of  printers 
doing  business  at  the  corner  of  Nassau  and  Wall  streets, 
under  the  name  of  Sackett  &  Sargent.  This  firm  failed 
in  business  in  the  course  of  a  couple  of  years,  when  Mr. 
Bennett  engaged  himself  with  Joseph  Snowden,  whose 
place  of  business  was  in  Gold  street,  between  Beekman  and 
Spruce,  in  New  York  city,  the  office  being  one  which  had 
formerly  been  owned  by  Scratchard  &  Adams.  This 
Adams,  by  the  way,  was  murdered  by  John  C.  Colt,  as  a 


150  Life  Sketches. 

result  of  his  pertinacious  efforts  to  collect  a  printer's  bill.  Mr. 
Bennett  was  employed  successively  in  several  different  print- 
ing offices  in  New  York  city  up  to  near  the  close  of  December, 
1846.  He  then  went  to  Williamsburgh,  L.  I.,  and,  with  two 
other  "jour.''  printers  and  a  young  writer  named  Isaac 
Anderson  Smith,  commenced  the  publication  of  a  small 
daily  paper  called  the  Mornmg  Post,  the  first  number  of  which 
was  issued  January  18, 1847.  With  this  paper  Mr.  Bennett 
remained  one  year,  the  proprietorship  having,  after  the  first 
flush  of  starting  had  subsided,  devolved  upon  Thomas  A. 
Devyr,  Joseph  Taylor,  and  the  subject  of  this  sketch. 
On  the  28th  of  February,  1848,  Mr.  Bennett,  in  company 
with  Aaron  Smith,  started  the  Williamshurgh  Daily  Times, 
at  129  Grand  street.  Two  years  thereafter,  by  the  help  of  a 
good  friend  —  Mr.  Gerhams  Polley,  since  deceased  —  the 
partners  were  enabled  to  erect  a  fine  brick  building  at  145 
Grand  street,  which  was  occupied  for  a  number  of  years  as 
the  printing  and  publishing  office  of  the  paper.  In  1854 
Williamsburgh  was  consolidated  with  Brooklyn,  and  the 
name  of  the  paper  was  conformed  to  the  change.  The  pub- 
lication office  was  removed  in  1856  to  its  present  location  in 
Broadway,  near  the  Roosevelt  street  ferry  landing.  In  the 
sparse  community  in  which  this  newspaper  had  been  started, 
the  Times  and  its  proprietors  played  a  notable  part.  Mr. 
Bennett  was  early  identified  with  every  project  for  the 
improvement  of  his  section,  and  as  these  were  advocated  by 
his  vigorous  and  intelligent  pen,  the  success  of  his  journal, 
the  popularity  of  its  chief,  and  the  prosperity  of  the  entire 
section,  were  alike  coincident  in  growth.  Nor  has  this 
upward  and  onward  progress  been  since  arrested.  The 
meagre  village  has  grown  out  into  companionship  with  a 
giant  city;  the  local  newspaper  is  a  journal  of  municipal 
distinction,  and  its  first  and  present  proprietor  stands  high 
in  the  counsels  and  esteem  of  his  fellow  citizens.  The  pro- 
gress of  the  paper  has  been  steady  from  the  beginning,  and  it 
is  now  one  of  the  most  stable  and  prosperous  daily  journals 


George  0,  Bennett,  151 

in  the  State,  ministering,  as  it  does,  to  a  population  approxi- 
mating 150,000. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Bennett  was  originally  a  Whig,  his  first 
vote  being  taken  by  the  celebrated  Matthew  L.  Davis  in 
the  seventh  ward  of  New  York.  When  the  Eepublican  party 
was  formed,  he  cheerfully  and  naturally  linked  his  political 
fortunes  with  it,  and  was  one  of  the  most  enthusiastic  sup- 
porters of  John  C.  Fremont  for  President  in  1856.  He  was, 
as  already  stated,  a  Member  of  Assembly  in  1872,  represent- 
ing the  same  district  as  now.  In  the  same  year,  not  being 
satisfied  with  the  local  political  management  of  his  party,  and 
having  always  been  a  warm  admirer  of  Horace  Greeley, 
he  gave  to  the  Liberal  cause  his  warm  indorsement.  But 
the  failure  of  that  movement,  and  its  subsequent  inevitable 
tendency  to  coalesce  with  the  Democracy,  caused  Mr.  Ben- 
ITETT  to  fall  back  upon  his  old  principles  and  associations. 
He  was  welcomed  back  to  his  party,  renominated  to  the 
Assembly,  and  elected  by  a  plurality  of  71,  his  opponents 
being  Frederick  W.  Kalbfleisch,  Democrat,  and  John  N. 
Stearns  a  Republican,  who  ran  as  a  temperance  candidate, 
because  Mr.  Bennett  was  opposed  to  local  prohibition. 
Stearns  polled  967  votes,  nearly  all  of  which  came  from 
the  ranks  of  the  Republicans.  Mr.  Bennett's  popularity 
where  he  is  best  known  is  suflBciently  shown  by  the  fact, 
that  his  own  ward,  ordinarily  Democratic,  gave  him  a  majority 
of  275,  and  in  his  own  election  district,  out  of  a  poll  of  320 
votes,  he  attained  a  majority  of  163.  Mr.  Bennett,  in  the 
present  House,  is  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Public 
Printing,  and  member  of  Canals  and  Engrossed  Bills. 


152  Life  Sketches. 


EUGENE  D.  BERRI. 


Mr.  Berri,  who  was  also  a  member  of  the  Brooklyn  dele- 
gation in  1872,  is  a  successful  carpet  dealer  in  the  city  of 
churches.  He  is  a  shrewd  and  energetic  business  man,  and 
carries  the  same  qualities  into  politics,  and,  also,  into  the 
Assembly  Chamber,  where  he  has  proved  himself  exceedingly 
efficient  in  the  details  of  legislation.  He  was  born  in  Buffalo, 
N.  Y.,  in  the  year  1836.  His  father,  William  Berri,  who 
is  still  living  and  a  resident  of  Brooklyn,  where  he  has  an 
extensive  carpet  and  oil-cloth  manufactory,  is  a  native  of 
Manchester,  England.  All  who  know  him  will  indorse  the 
statement  that  he  is  a  man  of  uncommon  energy  and  ability. 
Eugene  was  educated  mainly  in  Public  Schools  Three  and 
Eleven  of  Brooklyn,  but  to  a  very  great  extent  he  is  self- 
educated,  and,  possessing  as  he  does  a  large  share  of  common 
sense,  with  sound  judgment  and  plenty  of  natural  ability,  he 
is  well  qualified  for  any  position  in  life.  Though  still 
young,  he  has  been  quite  successful  in  his  business  ventures, 
and  is  now  a  prominent  member  of  one  of  the  largest  carpet 
establishments  in  Brooklyn,  located  at  526  Fulton  street. 

During  the  rebellion,  he  served  for  a  time  as  First  Lieu- 
tenant in  the  132d  Regiment,  New  York  Volunteers,  and 
performed  active  duty  at  Suffolk,  N.  C.  At  the  expiration 
of  four  months,  however,  he  was  honorably  discharged  at  his 
own  request.  In  party  connection  he  has  always  been  a 
Eepublican.  In  the  fall  of  1871,  he  was  elected  to  the 
Assembly  by  a  majority  of  1,858,  Thomas  W.  Adams  being 
his  opponent.  Last  fall  his  majority  was  2,277,  Chalmers 
M.  Ben'SOI^  opposing  him. 

Mr.  Berri  occasionally  takes  part  in  the  debates,  especially 
when  his  own  constituency  is  involved,  and  is  a  pleasant  off- 
hand speaker,   though   not  greatly  given   to   oratory.    As 


Bernard  Biqlin.  153 

chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Expenditures  of  the  Execu- 
tive Department,  and  member  of  those  on  Insurance  and 
Banks,  a  large  amount  of  work  falls  to  his  share,  and  he 
does  it  well.  He  is  a  man  of  genial  manners  and  striking 
personal  appearance,  and  is  extremely  popular  in  the  city  of 
Brooklyn.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Elm  Place  Congrega- 
tional church,  and  was  married  to  Miss  Louise  Ballow,  in 
Brooklyn,  in  1855. 


BERNARD   BIGLIN. 


There  are,  perhaps,  few  readers  of  newspapers  wh<5  are 
unfamiliar  with  the  aquatic  exploits  of  the  Biglin  brothers, 
the  celebrated  New  York  oarsmen,  but  there  are  many, 
doubtless,  who  will  now  learn  for  the  first  time  that  one  of 
these  brothers,  whose  name  heads  this  article,  is  serving  his 
second  term  as  a  representative  in  the  State  Assembly. 

Bernard  Biglin  was  born  in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania, 
on  the  4th  of  September,  1841.  His  parents,  John  and 
Ellen  Hart  Biglin,  were  natives  of  Ireland,  and  are  both 
deceased.  Their  family  consisted  of  eighteen  children,  of 
whom  ten  are  now  living,  six  brothers  and  four  sisters. 
Young  Biglin  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  and, 
locating  in  New  York  at  an  early  age,  he  served  an  appren- 
ticeship as  brass  moulder  with  Mr.  S.  B.  H.  Vance,  now 
President  of  the  New  York  Board  of  Aldermen,  and  propri- 
etor of  the  largest  chandelier  manufacturing  establishment 
in  the  country.  Completing  his  apprenticeship  in  1860,  he 
soon  after  obtained  a  position  as  Inspector  in  the  New  York 
Custom  House,  which  he  held  three  years.  From  1863  until 
1867  he  was  an  Inspector  in  the  Internal  Revenue  Depart- 
ment. Subsequently  he  was  appointed  Ganger  in  the  Inter- 
20 


154  Life  Sketches. 

nal  Revenue  Department,  but  resigned  when  elected  to  the 
Assembly. 

Always  a  Republican,  Mr.  Biglin  has  occupied  a  promi- 
nent position  in  New  York  politics  for  a  number  of  years, 
taking  an  active  part  in  the  primaries  and  conventions  of  the 
party.  He  has  served  as  delegate  at  all  the  Republican  State 
Conventions  for  several  years  past,  and  is  now  in  the  Assem- 
bly as  the  representative  of  the  eighteenth  Assembly  District 
Republican  Association.  His  district,  which  is  usually 
strongly  Democratic,  gave,  in  1871,  a  Reform  Democratic 
majority  of  4,034.  Mr.  Biglik  had  three  candidates  opposed 
to  him  in  1872  —  Peter  Seery,  Tammany,  and  Wm.  J. 
Shields  and  Johj^  P.  Crosby,  both  Apollo  Hall,  the  last 
being  indorsed  by  the  Committee  of  Seventy — but  he  was  suc- 
cessful by  a  plurality  of  612  ,  certainly  a  very  gratifying  result. 
Last  fall  he  had  two  candidates  opposed  to  him,  Hej^^ry 
McCabe,  Tammany  Democrat,  and  Wm.  G-.  Choate,  Liberal, 
and  he  was  elected  by  a  plurality  of  556.  The  confidence 
reposed  in  him  by  his  friends  is  well  placed,  as  he  is  a  very 
active  and  industrious  member,  and  watches  closely  the 
interests  of  his  constituents. 

Had  we  the  requisite  data  at  hand  it  would  be  interesting 
to  refer  with  some  particularity  to  Mr.  Bigli^t's  career  as  an 
oarsman,  which  has  been  very  brilliant.  The  crew  of  which 
he  and  his  brother  Johj^"  were  the  organizers  and  leading 
spirits,  and  which  included  five  of  the  BiGLiif  brothers, 
obtained  a  wide  reputation,  and  were  virtually  the  champions 
of  the  United  States  during  a  long  period,  being  victorious 
in  numerous  contests  on  the  lakes  and  rivers  in  various  parts 
of  the  country.  The  Biglins  are  not  "  sporting  men,"  as 
the  phrase  is  generally  understood,  never  prostituting  their 
rowing  abilities  to  the  object  of  gambling,  as  is  too  often  the 
case.  They  are  imbued  with  a  thorough  enthusiasm  for  the 
pursuit,  and  are  using  their  best  efforts  to  spread  a  love  for 
the  manly  and  vigorous  art,  with  the  laudable  object  of 
improving  and  developing  the  physique  of  the  rising  genera- 


Andrew  Blessing.  155 

don.  This  is  so  well  understood  in  New  York  that  their 
athletic  school  is  patronized  by  the  best  and  wealthiest  citi- 
zens of  the  metropolis,  and  a  large  number  of  amateur- oars- 
men owe  their  proficiency  to  the  tuition  received  from  the 
BiGLiNS.  Their  service  is  also  frequently  called  in  requisi- 
tion to  train  and  instruct  racing  crews  in  other  parts  of  the 
country. 

As  may  be  presumed,  Mr.  Biglin  is  a  man  of  good  phy- 
sique. He  is  about  the  medium  height,  well  and  compactly 
built,  light  hair  and  moustache,  light  blue  eyes,  and  generally 
a  pleasing  expression  of  countenance.  He  is,  withal,  a  gentle- 
man in  every  sense  of  the  word.  He  was  married  some 
years  ago  to  Mary  Ann  Grundy.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a 
Catholic. 


ANDREW  BLESSING. 


^Andrew  Blessing  is  from  the  Seventeenth  New  York 
district,  and  is  now  serving  his  second  term  as  a  member  of 
Assembly.  Born  in  the  county  of  Cavan,  Ireland,  in  the 
year  1844,  he  came  to  this  country  at  the  age  of  thirteen,  and 
obtained  a  very  fair  education  in  the  evening  common  schools 
of  New  York  city.  He  learned  the  trade  of  boiler  maker, 
and  worked  at  that  and  kindred  mechanical  employments  for 
several  years,  when  he  obtained  a  lucrative  clerkship  in  a 
mercantile  house,  and  finally  embarked  into  the  real  estate 
business,  in  which  he  is  now  engaged.  As  a  result  of  good 
judgment  and  sound  discretion,  he  has  accumulated  a  fair  com- 
petency. In  the  course  of  business,  Mr.  Blessing  has  visited 
nearly  every  part  of  the  country,  and  is  therefore  very 
thoroughly  acquainted  with  American  institutions.  He  has 
always  retained  his  residence  in  New  York,  however.  Pos- 
sessing decided  natural  ability,  and  being  a  shrewd  observer 


156  Life  Sketches. 

of  men  and  events,  he  is,  withal,  a  man  of  much  practical 
common  sense,  and  a  fair  representative  of  the  active  and 
energetic  Irish-American.  His  upright  and  honest  course 
has  invariably  secured  him  the  respect  of  all  who  know  him. 
He  is  not  highly  educated,  but  his  mind  is  well  balanced, 
and  unswerving  integrity  and  indomitable  perseverance  are 
the  leading  features  of  his  character. 

Mr.  Blessing  is  not,  strictly  speaking,  a  politician,  but  he 
has  always  been  known  as  a  decided  Democrat  of  the  Tam- 
many school,  and  has  the  confidence  and  esteem,  not  only  of 
his  own  party,  but  of  many  Republicans  in  his  district.  He 
was  elected  to  the  last  Assembly  by  a  plurality  of  596,  three 
candidates  being  opposed  to  him.  He  served  acceptably  in 
that  body  on  the  Committees  on  Grievances  and  State 
Prisons.  Among  the  measures  which  he  introduced  was  the 
bill  to  reduce  the  fare  on  the  Eighth  Avenue  Railroad.. 
He  had  to  contend  against  numerous  adverse  influences  and 
the  persistent  opposition  of  the  company,  but  he  eventually 
succeeded,  by  his  personal  influence  and  exertion,  in  carry- 
ing the  bill  through  the  Assembly.  He  made  a  very  honor- 
able record  last  year,  and  at  all  times  indicated  his  readiness 
to  expose  and  defeat  every  thing  in  the  nature  of  jobbery  or 
corruption.  In  the  present  Assembly  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Committee  on  Claims. 


JOSEPH  BLUMENTHAL. 


Mr.  Blumenthal,  one  of  the  most  prominent  of  the  New 
York  city  members,  was  born  in  Munich,  the  capital  of 
Bavaria,  December  1,  1834,  and  came  to  this  country  with 
his  parents,  Lawreistce  and  Rebecca  Blumekthal,  and 
their  family  of  six  other  children,  when  he  was  but  five  years 
old.   Both  his  parents  a-e  dead.  He  was  educated  in  the  com- 


Joseph  Blumenthal.  157 

iiiou  schools,  and  in  1853  went  to  Califomia,  residing  while 
there  in  Mariposa  county,  celebrated  as  the  locality  of  the 
famed  Yosemite  valley  and  falls.  He  remained  in  California 
but  five  years,  returning,  in  3858,  to  New  York,  where  he 
engaged  in  business  as  an  importer  and  merchant,  with  very 
satisfactory  results. 

Always  a  straightforward  Democrat,  Mr.  Blumenthal 
has  never  until  now  held  any  office,  but  he  has  participated 
actively  in  the  political  contests  of  New  York  city  for  many 
years  past,  and  has  secured  wide  prominence  by  reason  of  his 
efforts  in  behalf  of  municipal  reform,  and  for  the  elevation 
of  honest  and  capable  men  to  official  position.  He  was  one 
of  the  earliest  and  most  persistent  opponents  of  the  corrupt 
ring  that  disgraced  and  well  nigh  ruined  the  Democratic 
party  in  the  metropolis.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Seventy  from  its  organization  to  its  dissolution, 
serving  on  such  important  sub-committees  as  Elections, 
Investigation  of  Frauds,  Nominations,  etc. 

In  the  winter  of  1871-2  he  was  active  in  urging  the  pas- 
sage of  what  was  known  as  the  Reform  Charter,  and,  during 
the  last  session,  he  was  probably  the  most  active  opponent  of 
those  features  of  the  Charter  measure  which  proposed  to 
abolish  the  Board  of  Assistant  Aldermen,  and  curtail  the 
power  of  the  Mayor  in  making  appointments,  representing 
therein  the  views  of  the  Committee  of  Seventy.  He  made 
several  able  speeches  during  the  discussion  of  the  measure, 
and  the  courtesy,  moderation,  and  entire  freedom  from  per- 
sonality or  acrimony  which  characterized  his  participation 
in  the  exciting  debates,  were  the  subject  of  complimentary 
remark  among  opponents  and  friends. 

In  the  election  in  the  fall  of  1872  he  received  the  indorse- 
ment of  Tammany  Hall,  the  German  Reformers,  the  Com- 
mittee of  Seventy,  and  the  Council  of  Municipal  Reform, 
and  received  a  plurality  of  1,169,  although  there  were  four 
strong  candidates  in  the  field  against  him.  He  served  on 
the   Committees  on  Cities  and  Engrossed  Bills.     In  the 


158  Life  Sketches. 

present  session  he  is  a  member  of  Ways  and  Means,  and 
Privileges  and  Elections. 

A  man  of  decided  ability  and  mnch  practical  good  sense, 
Mr.  Blumenthal  is  quick  to  understand  the  bearings  of 
every  question  vrhich  he  is  called  upon  to  consider,  and 
therefore  possesses  qualities  invaluable  in  the  legislator.  He 
is  also  a  thorough  gentleman  in  every  sense  of  the  word,  and 
his  excellent  social  traits  render  him  popular  in  a  very  large 
circle  of  acquaintances.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Jewish 
persuasion. 


ORYILLE  C.  BORDWELL. 


Mr.  BoRDWELL  is  one  of  the  most  respected  and  best 
known  citizens  of  Niagara  county,  and  capably  represents 
the  Second  district  of  that  county  in  the  present  Assembly. 
His  father,  Enoch  W.  Bordwell,  still  living,  and  a  resident 
of  Hartland,  Niagara  county,  is  a  native  of  Yates  county. 
His  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was  Malah  Stebbin'S,  is 
of  Massachusetts  descent.  Mr.  Bordwell's  grandfather  was 
one  of  the  first  settlers  of  Yates  county.  He  was  a  carpen- 
ter by  trade,  and  it  is  related  of  him  that  on  one  occasion  he 
traveled  on  foot  through  the  wilderness  to  Niagara  Falls, 
where  he  helped  to  erect  the  first  building  put  up  in  the 
place. 

The  subject  of  this  notice  was  born  in  the  town  of  Potter, 
Yates  county,  on  the  13th  of  June,  1832.  He  received  a 
good  education  in  the  common  schools  during  his  youth,  and 
conceiving  a  liking  for  the  medical  profession,  he  attended 
the  Eclectic  Medical  Institute,  in  Cincinnati,  in  1859  and 
1800.  He  practiced  with  very  good  success  from  that  time 
until  1867,  but  since  then  he  has  been  engaged  in  farming 
and  fruit-growing,  occupations  which  are  congenial  to  his 
rural  tastes,  and  from  which  he  has  reaped  an  ample  pecun- 
iary reward. 


William  L,  Bostwick.  159 

Mr.  Bo RD WELL  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife,  to 
whom  he  was  united  in  Royalton,  on  the  25th  of  March, 
1857,  was  Sarah  J.  Day,  an  estimable  lady.  She  died  in 
April,  1861,  and  in  July,  1862,  he  married  Emma  A. 
Elderktn",  at  Lockport. 

In  politics  Mr.  Bordwell  has  always  been  a  Republican. 
He  has  occasionally  filled  public  position,  and  has  generally 
been  quite  active  in  the  counsels  of  his  party,  but  he  has 
never  been  a  seeker  after  office.  In  the  year  1869  he  was 
Overseer  of  the  Poor  of  his  town.  The  next  year  he  was  a 
candidate  for  the  office  of  Supervisor,  but  was  defeated  by 
four  votes,  owing  to  the  fact  that  the  Democratic  board  of 
canvassers  threw  out  five  of  his  votes,  because  his  name  was 
misspelled.  At  the  present  time  he  holds  the  office  of 
Assessor,  to  which  he  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  82,  the 
Democratic  Supervisor  receiving  a  majority  of  84.  He  was 
elected  to  the  Assembly  by  a  majority  of  445  over  Elton  T. 
Ransom,  Democrat,  and  serves  his  constituents  faithfully 
and  conscientiously  as  a  member  of  the  Committees  on 
Roads  and  Bridges  and  Agriculture. 

Mr.  Bordwell,  though  brought  up  in  the  Free  Will 
Baptist  persuasion,  has  never  made  a  profession  of  religion. 
He  is  a  man  of  enlarged  views  upon  all  questions. 


WILLIAM  L.  BOSTWICK. 


Though  Mr.  Bostwick  is  making  his  first  essay  as  a  State 
legislator,  he  has  already  taken  position  as  a  man  of  com- 
manding talent,  having  demonstrated  his  ability  as  a  floor 
member  in  several  sharp  contests.  Ite  is  an  easy  and  fluent 
speaker,  apparently  well  posted  upon  all  subjects,  gives  close 
attention  to  the  business  of  the  House,  and  possesses  that 
discriminating  tact  and  judicial  acumen  popularly  supposed 
to  be  peculiarly  characteristic  of  those  trained  to  the  legal 


160  Life  Sketches, 

profession.  Indeed  it  seems  little  short  of  an  anomaly  that 
he  is  not  a  regularly  qualified  member  of  the  bar,  as  he  seems 
peculiarly  fitted  for  that  walk  of  life.  During  the  session  he 
has  distinguished  himself  by  the  interest  he  has  taken  in 
educational  matters,  and  especially  by  his  championship  of 
the  compulsory  education  bill. 

He  was  born  at  Enfield,  N.  Y.,  March  15,  1837,  and  is  the 
son  of  Orson  Bostwick,  a  native  of  New  Milford,  Conn., 
who  settled  in  Enfield  in  1822,  engaging  in  farming  and 
lumbering.  The  latter  removed  to  Ithaca  in  1867,  and  died 
there  a  year  later. 

Young  Bostwick  pursued  his  preparatory  studies  at  Ithaca 
academy,  and  entered  Hamilton  college  in  1854,  graduating 
four  years  later  with  full  honors.  He  then  spent  four  years 
at  farming,  marrying,  in  1861,  Fannie  A.  Skidmore,  of 
Flint,  Michigan.  He  removed  from  Enfield  to  Ithaca  in 
1863,  and  engaged  in  boat-building,  and  also  in  the  grain  and 
lumber  business.  These  pursuits  he  relinquished,  however,  at 
the  expiration  of  two  years,  and  in  1865  purchased  a  one-half 
interest  in  the  Phoenix  Iron  Works,  giving  his  personal 
attention  to  the  management  of  the  concern.  One  of  the 
leading  manufactures  of  the  company  was  the  "Ithaca 
Wheel  Horse  Rake,"  of  which  he  was  the  patentee.  This 
implement  has  obtained  great  popularity  among  farmers, 
from  three  to  four  thousand  being  manufactured  annually. 
In  1872  he  retired  from  that  business,  and  is  now  engaged  in 
the  lumber  and  plaster  trade,  being  also  largely  interested  in  a 
planing  mill,  and  a  sash,  door  and  blind  factory.  He  has 
been  uniformly  successful  in  his  business  ventures,  and  has 
established  a  reputation  for  shrewd  and  careful  management 
and  sterling  integrity. 

Mr.  Bostwick  is  kno"wn  in  Tompkins  county  as  an  earnest, 
thorough  going  Republican.  As  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Supervisors,  first  from  Enfield  in  1860  and  1861,  and  lastly 
from  Ithaca  in  1867,  when  he  was  made  Chairman  of  the 
Board,  he  has  always  watched  with  a  sharp   eye  the  true 


WaTURS    W,  B RAMAN.  161 

interests  of  his  constituents,  and  shown  himself  to  be  a  man  of 
sound  judgment  and  marked  ability.  That  he  will  display 
the  same  characteristics  in  a  wider  field  is  already  apparent. 
He  was  a  delegate  from  the  27th  Congressional  District  to 
the  Philadelphia  Republican  Convention  which  nominated 
U.  S.  Grant  in  1872. 

He  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  by  a  plurality  of  274,  two 
candidates  being  opposed  to  him,  Chas.  W.  Bates,  Demo- 
crat, and  William  Hanford,  Temperance.  That  he  was 
successful  with  such  odds  against  him  is  an  indication  of  his 
popularity  at  home.  He  is  Chairman  of  the  Education 
Committee,  and  member  of  Public  Printing,  and  Sub-Com- 
mittee of  the  Whole. 

In  religious  belief  he  is  an  Episcopalian. 


WATERS  W.  BRAMAN. 


The  present  House  contains  very  few  more  careful  or  con- 
scientious members  than  Waters  W.  Braman,  of  West 
Troy,  Albany  county.  Though  he  is  entirely  new  to  legisla- 
tive duties,  he  has  elicited  the  praise  of  veterans  at  the  capitol, 
by  the  aptitude  he  has  shown  in  mastering  the  details  of  his 
position.  Always  at  his  post  in  the  House  and  in  the  com- 
mittee room,  he  watches  the  progress  of  legislation  with 
keen  attention,  and  often  discovers  defects  in  matters  under 
consideration  which  escape  the  scrutiny  of  older  members. 
Especially  do  the  interests  of  his  immediate  constituency, 
which  is  an  unusually  large  one,  receive  his  unremitting 
attention,  as  is  evidenced  by  the  fact  that  an  unusual  number 
of  measures  for  the  welfare  of  West  Troy  and  Cohoes  have 
been  initiated  during  the  present  session.  Maj.  Braman  is 
not  what  may  be  termed  a  trained  orator,  but  he  is  not  by 
any  means  a  silent  member,  being  able  to  express  his  views 
pointedly  and  briefly  when  occasion  requires.  He  is  a  man 
21 


162  Life  Sketches. 

of  rather  commanding  appearance,  with  a  pleasant  face  and 
genial  manner,  and  is  in  every  respect  an  honor  to  the  dis- 
trict which  he  represents. 

Waters  Whipple  Braman"  was  born  in  Troy,  N.  Y.,  on 
the  20th  of  April,  1840.  His  parents,  both  of  whom  arc 
dead,  were  Horace  and  Caroline  E.  Braman",  the  maiden 
name  of  the  latter  being  Whipple.  His  mother  died  when 
he  was  but  five  years  of  age,  giving  him  away  on  her  death 
bed  to  her  brother.  Waters  W.  AVhipple,  of  Troy,  who  had 
been  a  father  to  her.  Mr.  Whipple  faithfully  performed 
the  trust  reposed  in  him,  and  cared  for  young  Braman"  as 
well  as  if  he  had  been  an  own  son,  looking  after  his  educa- 
tion and  welfare  until  his  marriage,  which  took  place  in 
1865,  after  his  return  from  the  army.  Maj.  Braman's  pre- 
liminary education  was  obtained  in  a  common  school,  and 
from  thence  he  went  to  the  Troy  High  School,  being  one  of 
the  first  scholars  admitted  into  that  institution.  Having 
obtained  an  excellent  English  education,  he  left  school  at 
the  age  of  seventeen  to  learn  the  lumber  business,  which  he 
mastered  in  all  its  branches,  and  has  continued  to  follow  up 
to  the  present  time.  In  the  year  1860  he  became  a  member 
of  the  firm  of  Belki^ap  &  Bramak,  lumber  dealers.  The 
war,  which  broke  out  soon  after,  aroused  his  patriotism, 
however,  and  in  the  following  year  he  sold  out  his  business 
interest  in  order  to  enter  the  army.  While  closing  up  his 
business  in  the  fall  of  1861,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Albany 
Board  for  the  examination  of  volunteer  officers.  In  the 
mean  time  he  was  engaged  in  enlisting  men,  and,  on  the  7th 
of  December,  1861,  was  mustered  into  the  United  States  ser- 
vice, and  commissioned  First  Lieutenant  of  company  C,  93d 
Eegiment  N.  Y.  Vols.,  on  the  15th  of  January,  1862.  Soon 
thereafter,  he  proceeded  with  his  command  to  the  front,  and 
it  was  his  fortune  to  participate,  in  a  greater  tx  less  degree, 
in  all  the  battles  fought  by  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 
During  his  long  and  arduous  service  he  was  never  an  inmate 
of  a  hospital.    He  was  repeatedly  struck  by  rebel  bullets, 


Waters  IT.  Br  am  an.  163 

but  was  never  wounded  severely  enough  to  incapacitate  him 
from  duty.  In  the  Wilderness  battles  of  May  5,  6  and  7, 
1864,  he  was  hit  no  less  than  five  times.  On  the  23d  of 
March,  1864,  he  was  promoted  Captain  of  H  company  in  the 
same  regiment,  and  was  mustered  out,  February  14,  1865,  by 
reason  of  expiration  of  term  of  service.  On  the  17th  of 
October,  1866,  he  was  breveted  Major  for  gallant  and  meri- 
torious service,  his  muster  out  rank  being  that  of  Captain. 
Thus  is  briefly  outlined  the  main  facts  in  a  military  career 
which  was  in  every  respect  honorable  and  jiraiseworthy.  He 
was  a  brave  and  faithful  officer,  his  sole  ambition  being  to 
perform  his  duty  to  his  imperiled  country. 

On  laying  aside  the  sword,  at  the  close  of  the  struggle  in 
which  he  had  taken  such  an  active  part.  Major  Braman 
immediately  resumed  his  old  business  pursuit.  In  the  Octo- 
ber following  his  retirement  from  the  army  he  was  married 
to  Margaret  J.  Getty,  at  West  Troy,  and  about  the  same 
time  became  a  member  of  the  lumber  firm  of  Waters  W. 
Whipple  &  Co.,  in  which  he  is  still  an  active  partner.  Aside 
from  this,  however,  he  at  present  carries  on  a  manufacturing 
enterprise  in  Clinton  county. 

Mr.  Braman^s  political  history  is  briefly  told.  He  cast 
his  first  vote,  by  proxy,  in  front  of  Petersburg,  Va.,  and  it 
was  cast  for  the  re-election  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  Since 
then  he  has  been  an  active  Republican.  He  is  now  a  Trustee 
of  the  village  of  West  Troy,  but  other  than  that  and  his 
present  legislative  position,  he  has  never  held  any  elective 
office.  He  is,  however,  an  earnest  worker  in  the  Republican 
ranks  on  all  occasions,  and  is  a  man  of  considerable  influence 
in  the  party  councils.  In  the  recent  Assembly  canvass  he 
had  two  Democratic  opponents,  Daniel  McElwain  and 
Peter  D.  Niver,  whose  combined  vote  was  4,422.  Maj. 
Bbaman's  plurality  was  30,  the  district  being  usually  strongly 
Democratic.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Committees  on  Cities, 
Public  Printing  and  Expenditures  of  the  Executive 
Department. 


164  Life  Sketches. 


FRANCIS  B.  BREWER. 


Mr.  Brewer  is  a  descendant  of  revolutionary  stock,  his 
grandfather  having  held  the  rank  of  colonel  in  the  straggle 
with  the  mother  country.  His  father,  Ebej^ezer  Brewer, 
who  died  some  years  since,  was  also  familiar  with  the  trying 
scenes  of  that  period,  and  held  a  captain's  commission  in 
the  war  of  1812.  They  were  both,  we  believe,  natives  of 
New  Hampshire.  Mr.  Brewer  was  himself  born  in  Keene, 
N.  H.,  and  is  now  a  robust  and  well-preserved  gentleman  of 
perhaps  fifty  years  of  age.  He  enjoyed,  when  young,  the 
advantages  of  a  liberal  education,  and  early  determined  to 
enter  the  medical  profession.  He  therefore  pursued  with 
diligence  the  general  and  scientific  courses  at  Dartmouth 
College,  from  whence  he  graduated  in  1843.  Two  years  later 
he  graduated  with  honor  from  the  medical  department  of 
the  same  institution.  He  practiced  his  profession  but  five 
years,  however,  when  he  entered  the  lumbering  business  at 
Oil  creek  in  Pennsylvania.  This  was  about  the  year  1850, 
when  the  oleaginous  treasures  of  that  region  were  practically 
unknown  to  the  world.  Mr.  Brewer  perceived  the  value 
of  the  deposits  before  they  attracted  general  attention,  and, 
it  is  an  interesting  fact,  that,  in  his  clear  and  practical  brain, 
was  formed  the  first  feasible  plan  to  secure  and  utilize  the 
petroleum  oozing  through  the  soil.  As  early  as  1853,  he, 
with  several  other  gentlemen  of  energy  and  means,  formed 
the  first  oil  company,  and  inaugurated  a  branch  of  commerce 
which  has  since  reached  gigantic  proportions,  and  added 
immensely  to  the  wealth  of  the  country. 

Mr.  Brewer  was  reasonably  successful  in  his  ventures  in 
the  oil  region,  and  finally  removed  to  Westfield,  in  Chautau- 
qua county,  where  he  has  since  resided,  having  become  a 
wealthy  and  substantial  citizen  of  that  thriving  village.  He 
devotes  his  attention  mainly  to  supervising  the  affairs  of  the 


Francis  B.  Brewer.  165 

"Westfield  Lock  Works,  of  which  he  is  the  sole  proprietor. 
He  is  also  President  of  the  First  National  Bank  of  West- 
field,  a  flourishing  institution.  A  short  time  since  he  was 
appointed  by  the  President  one  of  the  Government  Directors 
of  the  Union  Pacific  Railroad. 

He  has  frequently  been  the  recipient  of  political  honors 
from  his  fellow  citizens,  with  whom  he  is  held  in  very  high 
regard.  Several  times  he  has  been  elected  to  the  Board  of 
Supervisors,  and  once  or  twice  he  was  Chairman  of  the  Board. 
Mr.  B.  always  discharged  his  duties  satisfactorily  in  this  local 
legislative  body,  acting  on  all  questions  for  the  best  interests  of 
the  county  and  the  town  he  represented.  During  the  war  he 
rendered  important  service  as  special  State  Agent  to  the  hos- 
pitals, and  also  to  the  soldiers  in  camp.  This  office  he  held, 
with  rank  of  Major,  by  appointment  of  Governor  Fenton, 
and  from  the  time  of  his  appointment,  in  the  winter  of  1864, 
until  the  close  of  the  war,  he  was  instrumental  in  relieving 
an  immense  amount  of  suffering  among  the  brave  men  who 
composed  the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

Mr.  Brewer  was  a  AVhig  until  the  formation  of  the  Re- 
publican party,  since  which  time  he  has  always  been  actively 
identified  with  Republican  measures  and  men.  In  person, 
he  is  somewhat  portly,  and  rather  above  the  medium  height. 
His  flowing  light  brown  beard,  in  which  a  few  white  hairs 
are  sprinkled,  gives  him  a  slightly  venerable  appearance, 
which  is  contradicted,  however,  by  the  vigorous  frame,  elastic 
step,  and  florid,  healthy  complexion  which  characterize  him. 
Dignified  and  courteous  in  bearing,  a  man  of  well-balanced 
intellect  and  unusually  ripe  judgment,  he  is  in  the  full 
prime  of  intellectual  and  physical  manhood,  and  is  in  all 
respects  an  able  and  upright  legislator. 

He  was  a  member  last  year,  and  as  member  of  the  Ways 
and  Means  Committee  he  was  exceedingly  influential  in 
reducing  expenditures  to  the  lowest  limit.  His  voice  was 
also  frequently  heard  on  the  floor  in  behalf  of  economical 
and  prudent  legislation,   and  he  was  regarded  by  all  as  a 


166  Life  Sketches. 

safe  counsellor  in  matters  pertaining  to  the  public  interests. 
In  the  present  session  he  is  retained  on  the  Ways  and  Means, 
and  is  also  Chairman  of  Petitions  of  Aliens,  and  member  of 
Charitable  and  Religious  Societies. 


ARTHUR  F.  BROWK 


The  Second  district  of  Oneida  is  represented,  this  year,  by 
Arthur  F.  Brown,  one  of  the  energetic  and  substantial 
business  men  of  that  locality.  He  is  a  quiet  member,  taking 
little  part  in  the  discussions  which  consume  so  much  of  the 
time  of  the  House,  but  there  are  very  few  more  constant  in 
their  attendance  on  committee  meetings,  or  more  closely 
observant  of  the  business  of  legislation. 

Arthur  Fitch  Browk  was  born  in  Westmoreland,  Oneida 
county,  where  he  still  resides,  June  29,  1817.  He  received  a 
fair  education  in  the  common  schools,  and,  on  reaching  man- 
hood, chose  a  mercantile  career.  He  engaged  in  business  in 
Westmoreland,  which  he  continued,  successfully,  for  upward 
of  twenty-four  years,  retiring  in  April,  1873.  Mr.  Browk's 
career  has  been  somewhat  uneventful,  and  we  have  therefore 
little  to  say  of  him,  save  that  he  is  a  plain,  straightforward 
man  of  action,  a  man  who  regards  deeds  rather  than  profes- 
sions, and  who  endeavors,  in  the  Legislature,  to  reflect  honor 
upon  the  constituency  which  has  honored  him.  Previous  to 
the  organization  of  the  Republican  party,  Mr.  BROWif  was  a 
Democrat,  but  since  that  event  he  has  never  faltered  in  his 
adherence  to  Republican  ideas  and  principles.  He  was  elected 
to  the  Assembly,  after  a  hotly  contested  canvass,  by  a  ma- 
jority of  17  over  George  W.  Cleveland,  the  Democratic 
candidate.  The  fact  that  his  vote  fell  short  some  400  from 
the  usual  Republican  poll,  was  due  to  the  influence  of  the 
hop  interest,  which  was  cast  on  the  side  of  Cleveland.  Mr. 
Brown  is  on  the  Committees  on  Claims,  Roads  and  Bridges, 
and  Indian  Affairs. 


/.  Lyman  Bulkley,  167 


J.  LYMAN  BULKLEY. 


Justus  Lyman  Bulkley.  for  sixteen  years  a  successful 
physcian  and  surgeon  of  Sandy  Creek,  Oswego  county,  was 
born  in  Fairfield,  Herkimer  county,  August  20,  1832.  His 
father,  Petee  H.  Bulkley,  bom  in  the  year  1800,  and  a 
native  of  this  State^  died  when  young  Bulkley  was  but 
'  eleven  years  old,  leaving  his  son  little  besides  an  inheritance 
of  poverty.  Compelled  thus  early  to  fight  his  way  in  the 
world,  he  did  not  shrink  from  the  contest,  but  proceeded, 
under  the  counsel  of  his  worthy  mother,  who  is  still  living, 
to  secure  an  education.  Although  for  a  number  of  years  he 
was  compelled  to  work  in  the  capacity  of  a  farm  laborer,  he 
eventually  succeeded  in  his  object.  He  studied  the  English 
oranches  in  an  academy,  and  when  he  was  able  to  do  so, 
entered  college.  He  passed  through  Madison  University, 
graduating  in  1857,  with  an  honorary  degree,  and  after- 
ward graduated  with  all  the  honors  from  the  New  York 
Ophthalmic  Hospital  College.  He  immediately  entered  upon 
the  practice  of  his  chosen  profession,  and  has  pursued  it 
with  such  success  that  he  now  enjoys  a  reputation  second 
to  none  in  the  county.  It  will  be  seen,  therefore,  that  Dr. 
Bulkley  is,  in  the  fullest  sense,  a  self-made  man,  and  owes 
all  that  he  has  and  is  to  his  own  individual  exertions. 

Dr.  Bulkley  has  always  been  an  earnest  Republican,  and 
has  found  time  to  devote  considerable  attention  to  party 
politics,  in  which,  in  his  county,  he  is  a  leading  spirit. 
Besides  holding  the  office  of  Coroner  during  one  term,  and 
being  an  incumbent  of  the  post  of  Pension  Surgeon  for 
three  years  past,  he  has  held  a  number  of  minor  offices,  and 
is  always  active  at  local  conventions  and  primaries.  He  was 
elected  to  the  Assembly  in  1872,  by  a  majority  of  about 
1,700,  defeating  Gilbert  W.  Harding,  his  Democratic 
opponent.    In  the  recent  canvass  he  was  opposed  by  Hugh 


168  Life  Sketches. 

D.  Mellen",  his  majority  being  861.  He  served  last  year  on 
the  Committees  on  Education  and  Public  Lands,  and  this 
year  he  is  chairman  of  Public  Health  and  Member  of  Public 
Education  and  Joint  Library. 

Dr.  BuLKLEY  is  a  gentleman  of  genial  manners  and 
marked  ability.  Though  not  known  to  a  very  great  extent 
as  a  talkative  member,  he  is  capable  and  efficient,  and  has 
made  an  excellent  record. 


LEOISTARD  BUREITT. 


Mr.  BuKRiTT,  who  represents  the  Third  district  of  Monroe 
county,  is  one  of  the  "  always  reliable  "  Eepublicans  of  the 
lower  House.  He  makes  few  speeches,  but  invariably  votes 
"right,"  is  invaluable  in  the  committee  room,  and  has  a 
sharp  eye  for  the  wishes  of  his  constituents.  He  was  once 
a  Whig,  but  since  Whigism  became  a  thing  of  the  past  he 
has  been  a  steadfast  Kepublican.  He  was  born  in  Chili, 
Monroe  county,  his  father  being  Isaac  Burritt,  now 
deceased.  Brought  up  on  a  farm,  and  receiving  in  the  mean 
time  a  pretty  thorough  common  school  and  academic  educa- 
tion, he  has  remained  a  farmer  until  the  present  time,  but 
manages  also  to  attend  to  other  pursuits.  From  1862  until 
1870  he  filled  the  position  of  United  States  Assistant  Asses- 
sor for  Monroe  county.  In  the  fall  of  1867  Mr.  Burritt 
was  elected  to  the  Assembly  by  a  majority  of  890. 

In  1872  his  majority  was  985,  and  last  fall  he  was  returned 
by  a  majority  of  482,  his  opponent  being  JoHiS"  Borst^ 
Democrat.  Last  year  he  was  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on 
Banks,  9,nd  member  of  Charitable  and  Religious  Societies 
and  Insurance.  This  year  he  is  again  Chairman  of  Banks 
and  member  of  Salt  and  Aliens. 


Michael  Coffey.  169 


MICHAEL  COFFEY. 


Mr.  Coffey,  from  the  Third  district  of  Kings  county,  is  a 
young  man  of  energy  and  ability,  who  wields  considerable 
influence  in  Brooklyn  politics,  especially  in  the  ward  in 
which  he  resides.  He  was  born  in  Ireland  in  1843,  and 
received  a  good  education  in  the  common  schools.  From 
1861  to  1864  he  was  in  the  naval  service  of  the  United 
States,  and  during  a  portion  of  the  time  since  his  discharge 
has  been  a  liquor  dealer  in  Brooklyn.  He  served  continu- 
ously in  the  Brooklyn  Board  of  Aldermen,  from  1868  to 
1872,  being  elected  each  year  against  five  opponents.  He 
was  nominated  by  the  Democrats  in  the  recent  canvass,  and 
chosen  to  the  Assembly  by  a  unanimous  vote,  which  is  cer- 
tainly the  strongest  evidence  of  popularity  that  could  be 
afforded.  He  serves  on  the  Committees  on  Claims  and  Public 
Health.  Mr.  Coffey  possesses  many  of  those  qualities 
which  win  popular  regard,  and  evidently  has  a  successful 
political  future  before  him.  In  religious  faith  he  is  a  Roman 
Catholic. 


HENRY  W.  CARPENTER. 


Henry  W.  Carpenter,  M.  D.,  Member  of  Assembly 
from  the  Second  district  of  Madison  county,  was  born  in 
Marcy,  Oneida  county,  N.  Y.,  June  26,  1834.  His  father 
was  a  farmer  in  limited  circumstances,  and  unable  to  give 
his  children  more  than  common  school  opportunities,  so  that 
the  subject  of  this  sketch  labored  under  great  embarrassments 
in  obtaining  an  education.  After  10  years  of  age  he  worked 
upon  the  farm  summers  and  attended  district  school  winters 
until  he  arrived  at  the  age  of  17,  when  he  commenced  teach- 


170  Life  Sketches. 

ing.  This  lie  did  for  three  years,  remaining  with  his  parents 
during  the  summer  season.  For  two  seasons,  and  prior  to 
commencing  his  school,  he  attended  a  half  term  at  Eome 
Academy,  where  he  acted  as  monitor,  thus  defraying  part  of 
his  tuition.  At  the  age  of  19,  while  teaching  one  of  the 
public  schools  in  the  then  village  of  Rome,  he  commenced 
the  study  of  medicine  with  the  late  Dr.  J.  M.  Sturdevant, 
with  the  intention  of  remaining  in  his  office  the  following 
summer,  but  in  this  he  was  disappointed,  on  account  of  the 
sudden  death  of  his  father,  who,  from  financial  misfortunes, 
left  a  small  farm  heavily  mortgaged.  He  then  remained 
with  his  mother,  who  was  an  invalid,  for  upward  of  three 
years,  and  assisted  her  in  removing  all  indebtedness  against 
the  small  estate.  During  this  time  he  devoted  all  his  leisure 
moments,  and  more  especially  the  long  winter  evenings,  to 
the  study  of  his  chosen  |)rofession.  In  this  way  he  prepared 
himself  so  that  he  entered  the  Medical  Department  of  the 
University  of  Michigan,  at  Ann  Arbor,  in  the  fall  of  1856, 
where  he  remained  till  the  following  spring.  During  the 
summer  he  studied  medicine  in  the  office  of  Dr.  D.  A.  Crane, 
of  Holland  Patent,  N.  Y.,  doing  chores  for  his  board  and 
w^ashing.  The  following  winter  he  attended  lectures  at  the 
University  of  New  York,  and  a  spring  course  at  Albany. 
Returning  to  New  York,  he  graduated  at  the  University  in 
July,  1858.  After  receiving  his  diploma,  he  formed  a  part- 
nership with  Dr.  Crane,  of  Holland  Patent,  where  he 
remained  in  active  practice  for  four  years.  While  at  this 
place  he  received  a  commission  as  Assistant  Surgeon  of  the 
117th  New  York  Volunteers,  and  entered  the  army  in  August, 
1862.  He  quickly  gained  the  entire  confidence  of  the  regi- 
ment, and  was  soon  promoted  to  Surgeon  by  Gov.  Seymour, 
through  the  earnest  solicitation  of  every  officer  in  the  regi- 
ment. We  briefly  give  a  portion  of  the  petition  to  the  Gov- 
ernor by  the  officers : 

"We  are  led  thus  to  petition  Your  Excellency  out  of 
regard  to  the  best  interostsof  our  regiment,  that  the  position 


Henry  W.  Carpenter,  171 

of  surgeon  may  be  filled  by  the  appointment  of  a  competent 
officer.  We  know  —  many  of  us  by  experience,  and  all 
by  observation  —  that  Dr.  Carpenter  well  merits  this 
promotion.  We  know,  and  can  recommend  to  Your  Excel- 
lency, the  eminent  skill  he  has  thus  far  displayed  —  his 
untiring  energy  in  attending  to  the  wants  and  comforts  of  the 
sick  and  wounded,  and  we  but  express  to  you  our  conviction 
in  saying  that  he  well  deserves,  and  has  our  entire  confidence 
and  esteem.  And  we  believe  in  promoting  Dr.  Carpenter, 
Your  Excellency  will  reward  an  officer  accomplished  in  his 
profession  and  aevoted  to  the  duties  of  his  office." 

He  held  the  position  of  Surgeon  till  November,  1864, 
when  he  was  obliged  to  resign,  on  account  of  ill  health,  and 
returned  to  his  home  at  Holland  Patent.  While  in  the  army 
in  the  Department  of  the  South,  he  was  acting  Brigade  Sur- 
geon; also  President  of  a  Medical  Examining  Board  for 
recruits  and  discharging  disabled  soldiers.  He  also  had, 
while  in  the  field,  a  standing  order  as  Operating  Surgeon, 
from  the  Medical  Director  of  the  Corps. 

The  following  spring  he  removed  to  Oneida,  in  Madison 
county,  where  he  established  himself  in  an  active  practice, 
and  still  resides,  ranking  among  the  fbremost  physicians  and 
Burgeons  in  that  section  of  the  State.  He  has  been  Vice- 
President  and  President  of  the  County  Medical  Society,  and 
an  address  delivered  by  him  before  that  body,  the  subject  of 
which  was  **A  few  Facts  and  Hints  for  the  People,"  was 
highly  commended,  and  was  published  in  the  county  papers. 
He  holds  the  position  of  Examining  Surgeon  to  the  Com- 
mission of  Peftsions,  at  Washington  —  an  appointment  he 
has  held  for  several  years.  He  is  also  serving  his  second 
term  as  one  of  the  Coroners  of  the  county. 

In  his  boyhood  he  learned  to  abhor  slavery  and  oppression 
of  every  kind,  receiving  the  lessons  from  his  father,  who  was 
an  abolitionist  and  a  stockholder  in  the  old  ''  underground 
railroad,"  and,  in  quite  a  number  of  instances,  a  conductor 
on  the  same.  He  has  been  a  member  of  the  ^Republican 
party  since  its  organization.    In  the  fall  of  1873  he  received 


172  LiF2!  Sketches, 

the  nomination  for  Member  of  Assembly,  without  solicitation 
on  his  part,  and  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  404  votes, 
although  there  was  a  very  light  vote  cast  —  scarcely  two- 
thirds  of  the  usual  vote.  He  ran  largely  ahead  of  his  ticket 
in  twelve  election  districts,  carrying  his  own  town,  which  is 
Democratic,  by  124  majority.  The  preceding  fall,  when  the 
Presidential  election  was  held  and  a  full  vote  cast,  the  Repub- 
licans elected  their  member,  after  a  severe  struggle,  by  only 
seven  majority. 

One  of  the  county  papers,  in  noticing  his  nomination,  said: 

"  Dr.  Cakpekter  is  a  physician  of  large  practice  and  wide 
reputation ;  a  gentleman  of  unexceptionable  personal  charac- 
ter ;  a  Republican  firm  in  the  faith,  but  not  allied  to  any  ring 
or  section;  in  short,  a  man  who,  in  the  fullest  sense,  meets 
the  demands  of  the  present  hour  for  integrity,  ability  and 
sound  judgment,  and  will  carry  into  the  Assembly  Chamber 
such  traits  of  character  and  ability  as  will  give  him  a  front 
rank  in  that  body,  where  its  interests  will  be  thoroughly 
appreciated  by  him,  and  honorably  attended  to.'' 


WILLIAM  CAULDWELL. 


Representing  a  district  which  may  almost  be  regarded  as 
metropolitan,  part  of  it,  hi  deed,  having  already  been  incor- 
porated within  the  municipal  limits  of  New  York  city,  and  a 
district  which,  with  its  grooving  interests,  calls  annually  for  a 
vast  amount  of  legislation,  Mr.  Oauldwell's  position  in  the 
House  is  any  thing  but  a  sinecure.  It  is  certain,  however, 
that  the  important  matters  committed  to  his  care  could  be 
intrusted  in  no  better  hands.  The  confidence  felt  in  his 
judgment  and  ability  is  the  result  of  a  long  career  of  useful- 
ness, and  it  may  safely  be  asserted  that  there  are  few  men 
who  have  done  more  for  Westchester  county  than  Assembly- 
man and  ex-Senator  William  Cauldwell. 


William  Cauldwell.  173 

He  was  born  in  New  York  city,  October  12, 1824,  and  is 
therefore  nearly  fifty  years  of  age.  His  father  was  a  native 
of  Scotland,  and  his  mother,  like  himself,  was  born  in  New 
York  city.  Like  so  many  men  who  have  carved  out  a  repu- 
tation and  secured  a  competence  by  personal  industry  and 
indomitable  will,  Mr.  Cauldwell  had  only  the  benefits  of  a 
common  school  education,  and  at  the  age  of  fifteen  he  com- 
menced to  earn  his  own  living.  At  that  age  he  began  to 
learn  the  trade  of  a  printer ;  and  this,  probably,  as  much  as 
any  thing  else,  was  the  basis  of  his  future  success.  He  is 
now  one  of  the  editors  and  publishers  of  the  New  York  Mer- 
cury and  Sunday  Mercury^  which,  in  its  several  editions,  is 
probably  one  of  the  most  widely  circulated  newspapers  in  the 
country. 

One  of  the  earliest  residents  of  the  village  of  Morrisania, 
which,  however,  is  now  unromantically  known  as  the  Twenty- 
fourth  ward  of  New  York,  and  in  which  his  father  erected 
the  first  dwelling,  Mr.  Cauldwell  has  aided  in  making  it 
one  of  the  most  prosperous  communities  in  the  State,  it  form- 
ing virtually  a  city  of  25,000  or  30,000  inhabitants,  with  an 
assessed  valuation  of  several  millions,  and  raising  annually 
about  1250,000  by  taxes. 

For  fifteen  consecutive  terms  Mr.  Cauldwell  was  Super- 
visor of  Morrisania,  chosen  often  without  opposition,  and 
always  by  a  large  majority.  He  was  elected  first  in  1857. 
During  four  years  of  that  period  he  was  President  of  the 
Town  Board  of  Trustees  —  a  position  with  responsibilities 
equal  to  that  of  Mayor  of  a  city  —  and  during  three  years 
Chairman  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Westchester  county, 
in  which  he  always  held  a  leading  position.  He  also  served 
nine  or  ten  years  as  member  of  the  Board  of  Education.  In 
short,  his  name  is  connected  with  almost  every  thing  per- 
taining to  the  growth,  prosperity  and  improvement  of  his 
section  of  Westchester  county,  and  it  is  not  at  all  strange 
that  he  enjoys  in  an  eminent  degree  the  confidence  of  the 
people.    He  was,  up  to  the  close  of  1873,  when  the  Act  of 


174  Life  Sketches. 

Annexation  took  effect,  the  President  of  the  Board  of  Trus- 
tees, and  also  Supervisor  of  the  town  of  Morrisania,  and  by 
a  special  provision  of  the  act  in  question,  the  settlement  of 
the  finances  and  general  winding  up  of  the  business  of  the 
town  incident  to  annexation  to  New  York  devolves  upon  him 
until  July  of  the  present  year.  An  important  portion  of  Mr. 
Oauld well's  career  was  that  spent  in  the  State  Senate,  to 
which  he  was  elected  in  1867,  and  which  position  he  accepted 
mainly  with  a  view  to  promoting  rapid  transit  in  New  York 
city.  He  was  chosen  by  the  largest  majority  ever  given  in 
the  district  (the  Ninth),  his  then  opponent  being  the  present 
Speaker  of  the  House,  Hon.  James  W.  Husted,  and  served 
during  two  terms,  or  four  years,  with  marked  distinction. 
His  services  as  Senator  are  notable  by  the  fact  that  the  first 
bill  for  rapid  transit,  the  New  York  Central  Underground 
Eailroad  measure,  became  a  law  through  his  efforts.  He  also 
secured  the  passage  of  the  act  providing  for  the  abatement  of 
interest  from  the  State  in  favor  of  Westchester  county, 
amounting  to  about  $45,000.  This  bill  was  fought  inch  by 
inch  through  two  successive  sessions  by  the  late  Senator 
Jacob  Hardekburgh.  He  was  elected  to  the  Senate  the 
second  time  by  a  majority  of  2,274,  and  was  one  of  the  most 
industrious  members  of  the  committees  on  St.ate  Prisons, 
Eoads  and  Bridges,  Villages,  and  Public  Printing,  being 
Chairman  of  the  two  former.  Mr.  Cauldwell  was  unani- 
mously renominated  for  a  third  term  for  Senator  in  1871, 
but  the  overwhelming  vote  against  the  Democracy  in  that 
year  defeated  him,  his  successful  opponent  being  the  present 
President  of  the  Senate,  William  H.  Robertson. 

Mr.  Cauldwell  is  and  always  has  been  a  Democrat,  but 
at  the  solicitation  of  leading  men  in  both  parties  he  con- 
sented to  serve  in.  the  Assembly  this  year,  a  man  of  experi- 
ence, and  fully  conversant  with  the  people's  wants,  being 
needed  at  Albany  to  protect  the  interests  growing  out  of 
their  new  relations  to  the  metropoHs.  That  Mr.  Cauldwell 
will  acquit  himself  well  of  the  trust,  no  one  will  doubt,  not- 


George  W,  Chad  wick.  175 

withstanding  he  was  confined  to  his  house  for  nearly  six 
weeks  of  the  present  session  by  serious  illness.  He  received 
1,412  majority  over  his  opponent,  Thomas  Wilson,  and  ran 
267  votes  ahead  of  the  Democratic  candidate  for  Secretary  of 
State,  in  a  district  which  has  elected  a  Republican  member 
three  times  in  succession.  In  the  House  he  is  on  the  com- 
mittees on  Claims,  Banks,  and  State  Prisons,  and  no  member 
is  more  highly  esteemed  and  respected  by  his  associates. 


GEORGE  W.  CHAD  WICK. 


Mr.  Chadwick,  the  Member  from  the  First  district  of 
Oneida  county,  is  a  pleasant-faced  gentleman  of  nearly  fifty 
years  of  age.  He  is  a  man  who  has  not  much  to  say  in  the 
way  of  debate,  but  he  is  constant  in  attendance  at  the  ses- 
sions of  the  House,  and  active,  energetic  and  efficient  in  the 
performance  of  the  real  work  of  legislation.  His  character 
—  that  of  an  earnest,  practical,  thoroughgoing  business 
man  —  is  plainly  indicated  in  his  countenance,  which  is  a 
mirror  of  truthfulness  as  well  as  of  kindness  and  genial- 
ity. He  was  born  in  Oneida  county,  June  16,  1825,  and  is 
the  son  of  English  and  American  parents,  his  father,  John" 
Chadwick  (now  deceased),  having  been  an  extensive  manu- 
facturer in  New  Hartford,  where  the  son  still  resides. 
During  his  youth  Mr.  Chadwick  was  enabled  to  secure  a 
good  common  school  and  academic  education.  When  he 
had  reached  a  proper  age  his  father  took  him  into  his  cotton 
factory  as  an  ordinary  operative,  and,  when  he  had  become 
thoroughly  familiar  with  the  business,  took  him  into  partner- 
ship, and  at  his  death  surrendered  the  entire  property  to  his 
care.  In  this  business  Mr.  C.  still  continues,  and  is  now  the 
sole  proprietor  of  one  of  the  largest  manufacturing  estab- 


176  Life  Sketches. 

lishments  in  that  section.  He  was  married,  on  the  6th  of 
November,  1855,  to  Mary  A.  Wrigley,  of  New  Hartford. 

As  a  manufacturer  he  has  been  yery  successful,  and  since 
he  has  been  proprietor  of  the  works  established  by  his  father 
he  has  made  extensive  additions  thereto.  His  standing  in 
the  community,  financially  and  otherwise,  is  first  class. 
Aside  from  his  legitimate  business,  he  has  frequently  been 
identified  with  other  enterprises,  and  he  is  now  director  of  a 
railroad,  and  also  of  a  banking  institution.  His  kindliness 
of  disposition  has  greatly  endeared  his  workmen  to  him,  and 
he  has  always  merited  their  regard  by  doing  every  thing  in 
his  power  to  promote  their  comfort  and  welfare. 

Politically,  Mr.  Chad  wick  has  always  been  either  a  Whig 
or  Kepublican.  Since  the  Republican  party  Avas  formed  he 
has  been  unswerving  in  his  allegiance  thereto.  He  has 
always  taken  a  warm  interest  in  the  local  politics  of  his  dis- 
trict, and  has  several  times  been  honored  with  important 
public  trusts.  During  three  of  the  war  years  he  was  a  mem- 
ber of  the  board  of  supervisors,  in  which  position  he  ren- 
dered great  service  in  filling  the  several  quotas  in  response 
to  the  demand  for  men.  He  was  also  a  Member  of  Assem- 
bly in  1871,  and  his  vote  was  always  recorded  in  opposition 
to  the  infamous  purchased  legislation  of  that  session.  In 
that  House,  to  which  he  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  about 
600,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Committees  on  Indian  Affairs 
and  Trade  and  Manufactures.  His  majority  over  Heis^ry 
D.  Talcott,  his  Democratic  opponent  last  fall,  was  694, 
while  the  Republican  majority  the  previous  year  was  only 
135.  He  is  now  a  member  of  the  Committees  on  Railroads 
and  Agriculture,  and  Chairman  of  Civil  Divisions. 


Henry  M,  Clark,  177 


HENRY  M.  CLARK. 


The  Second  district  of  Wayne  county  is  represented  by 
Henry  M.  Clark,  of  East  Palmyra,  where  he  was  born, 
March  6,  1826,  and  has  always  resided  in  the  vicinity  of  his 
birth-place.  On  the  3d  of  April,  1850,  he  was  married  to 
Frances  A.  Foster,  a  native  of  the  same  locality.  His  father, 
Maltby  Clark,  was  born  in  East  Palmyra,  March  31,  1798, 
was  a  Whig  candidate  for  Assembly  in  1843,  and  was  elected 
Superintendent  of  the  Poor  by  that  party  in  1847  and  1850, 
and  by  the  Republicans  in  1855.  He  is  still  living.  His 
grandfather,  Oliver  Clark,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of 
the  town  of  Palmyra,  having  emigrated  from  Southampton, 
Long  Island,  in  1794.  He  died  in  January,  1843,  at  the  age 
of  seventy-six. 

Mr.  Clark  received  his  education  at  the  district  schools 
and  at  Walworth  Academy.  By  occupation  he  is  a  farmer, 
and  for  several  years  he  has  been  a  Director  of  the  Palmyra 
Union  Agricultural  Society. 

In  political  life  he  was  a  Whig  until  the  organization  of 
the  Republican  party,  with  which  he  has  ever  since  acted. 
At  different  times  he  has  been  nominated  for  Supervisor, 
Justice,  Assessor,  etc.,  but  as  his  party  was  defeated  on  these 
occasions,  he  failed  of  an  election.  In  obedience  to  the 
urgent  request  of  a  large  number  of  Republicans  of  the  dis- 
trict, he  accepted  an  independent  nomination  for  Assembly, 
at  the  late  election,  and  was  chosen  over  the  regular  Repub- 
lican candidate.  Col.  Joseph  W.  Corning,  by  the  following 
vote:  Clark,  1921 ;  Corning,  1590.  The  vote  in  the  East 
Palmyra  election  district  was,  Clark,  142  ;  Corning,  7. 

Mr.  Clark  generally  acts  with  the  majority  in  the  House, 
is  a  sound  and  reliable  legislator,  and  is  making  an  excellent 
record  during  the  present  session. 


178  Life  Sketches, 

In  religious  belief,  he  is  a  Presbyterian,  and  for  the  last 
three  years  has  been  stated  Clerk  of  the  Presbytery  of  Lyons. 

He  serves  on  the  Committees  on  Public  Education,  and 
Expenditures  of  the  House. 


WILLIAM  y.   CLEARY. 


Mr.  Clbary,  a  young  and  active  Democrat,  represents,  for 
the  second  term,  the  city  of  Troy,  where  he  has  resided  all 
his  life,  and  for  several  years  past  has  been  identified  with  its 
business  interests.  Born  in  Troy  on  the  12th  of  September, 
1847,  he  is  still  quite  a  young  man,  but  he  takes  naturally 
to  political  life,  and  occupies  quite  a  prominent  position  in 
the  local  councils  of  his  party.  His  father,  Kyraist  Cleary, 
who  died  in  1861,  at  the  age  of  45,  was  also  active  in  politics 
and  was  once  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen.  The 
younger  Cleary  received  a  good  education  in  the  common 
schools,  and  was  brought  up  in  the  business  followed  by  his 
father,  the  manufacture  of  ale  and  porter,  and,  on  his  father's 
death,  he  took  sole  charge  of  his  large  establishment,  con- 
ducting it  with  success  up  to  the  present  time. 

Mr.  Cleary  has  already  held  a  number  of  positions  in  the 
gift  of  his  party.  During  two  terms  he  occupied  a  seat  in 
the  Troy  Board  of  Aldermen,  and  was  chosen  unanimously 
at  his  last  election.  In  1870  he  was  President  of  the  Board 
of  Common  Council,  and  filled  the  position  satisfactorily  to 
the  people,  and  with  credit  to  himself.  Two  years  ago  he 
was  Chairman  of  the  Democratic  Centra!  Committee.  He 
was  elected  to  the  last  Assembly  by  a  majority  of  1,485,  over 
Dennis  O'Loughlin,  an  independent  candidate,  and  served 
in 'that  body  on  the  Committees  on  Trade  and  Manufactures 
and  Federal  Eelations.  In  the  present  House,  to  which  he 
was  elected  by  a  majority  of  881,  over  Egbert  B.  Eankin,  a 


Stephen  J.  Colahan,  179 

popular  Republican,  he  serres  on  the  Committees  on  Trade 
and  Manufactures  and  Indian  Affairs.  He  is  not  particular- 
ly distinguished  as  a  public  speaker,  but  he  watches  closely 
the  interests  of  his  constituents.  Young,  vigorous,  intelli- 
gent and  capable,  Mr.  Cleary  evidently  has  a  bright  future 
before  him.  He  is  still  unmarried,  and  is  a  member  of  the 
Roman  Catholic  Church. 


STEPHEN  J.  COLAHAN. 


Physically  Mr.  Colahan  is  a  splendid  specimen  of  man- 
hood, with  massive,  well-proportioned  frame,  large  head,  well 
set  off  by  coal-bhick  hair  and  moustache,  and  fine  features. 
His  complexion  has  that  pale  cast  which  inevitably  marks 
the  diligent  student,  but  there  is  not  enough  of  pallor  to 
indicate  the  broken  constitution  which  is  the  lot  of  so  many 
who  burn  the  midnight  oil  in  the  struggle  to  become  famous. 
A  pleasant  geniality  also  beams  in  his  features,  and  it  is 
evident  that  he  shines  as  brilliantly  in  the  social  circle  as  he 
does  in  the  political  and  legal  arena. 

Mr.  Cola  HAN  was  born  in  New  York  city  December  25, 
il841,  his  parents  being  J.  H.  and  Mary  Colahan,  both 
deceased.  He  received  a  thorough  collegiate  education, 
partly  at  Fordham,  and  partly  at  the  New  York  University, 
graduating  from  the  Law  Department  of  the  University  in 
the  class  of  1862.  After  his  graduation  he  was  married,  and 
indulged  in  a  tour  to  Europe,  the  results  of  his  observations 
being  published  in  a  series  of  brilliant  letters  to  leading 
newspapers.  In  1863  and  1864,  he  held  an  official  position 
in  the  War  Department  at  Washington,  and  since  then,  with 
the  exception  of  the  time  occupied  in  public  service,  he  has 
practiced  law,  being  associated  for  four  years  with  General 
Philip  S.  Crook,  who  afterward  defeated  him  in  a  contest 


180  Life  Sketches, 

for  a  seat  in  Congress.  In  1867  he  was  elected  a  member  of 
the  Constitutional  Convention  of  this  State,  being  the 
youngest  member  in  that  body.  During  the  sessions  of  the 
Convention,  Mr.  Colahan"  took  a  prominent  part  in  several 
of  the  leading  debates.  The  clause  to  prohibit  the  sale  of 
intoxicating  liquors  was  ably  resisted  by  Mr.  Colahan",  and 
his  speech  was  regarded  as  being  so  effective  that  it  was  re-pub- 
lished in  pamphlet  shape.  He  made  an  effort  to  have  a  clause 
inserted  in  the  State  Constitution  relative  to  the  practice  of 
medicine  and  the  dispensing  of  drugs,  to  direct  the  Legisla- 
ture to  create  a  State  Board,  to  be  appointed  by  the  Governor 
and  confirmed  by  the  Senate,  for  the  purpose  of  inquiry  into 
the  qualifications  of  this  class.  The  matter  was  afterward 
left  to  the  Legislature.  This  movement  on  the  part  of  Mr. 
CoLAHAN"  excited  great  public  interest.  The  State  Medical 
Board  in  Convention  unanimously  adopted  a  series  of  com- 
plimentary resolutions  on  his  action  in  the  matter,  and 
tendered  him  a  banquet.  The  late  Mr.  H.  J.  Kaymond,  of 
the  New  York  Tmies,  warmly  supported  his  action,  and 
many  other  journals  also  indorsed  its  value. 

Mr.  CoLAHAN"  has  frequently  been  a  delegate  to  the 
conventions  of  his  party.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Conven- 
tion at  Rochester  which  nominated  the  present  Judges  of 
the  Court  of  Appeals,  and  was  also  a  delegate  to  the  Demo- 
cratic National  Convention  at  Baltimore  in  1872,  and  to  th« 
State  Convention  at  Syracuse  in  the  same  year.  His  efforts 
at  that  convention  to  have  the  State  Central  Committee 
increased  to  thirty-five  members,  in  order  to  give  the  people 
a  more  -direct  representation,  were  crowned  with  success. 
In  1872  he  was  a  candidate  for  Congress  in  the  Fourth 
District,  but  was  beaten  by  a  small  majority  by  Gen.  Crook, 
his  Republican  opponent  At  present  he  is  Chief  Clerk  of 
the  City  Court  of  Brooklyn,  having  been  appointed  in  1871. 

He  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  last  fall  after  a  very  active 
canvass,  a  Democrat  and  the  Republican  representative  last 
year  being  in  the  field  against  him.    The  vote  in  the  Demo- 


Artemas  W.  Comstock.  181 

cratic  Assembly  Convention  was  a  tie,  and,  the  matter  being 
referred  to  the  General  Committee,  Mr.  Colahan  was  nom- 
inated. His  opponent,  Patrick  J.  Gleason,  remained  in 
the  field  as  an  independent  candidate.  Mr.  Colahan 
obtained  389  majority  over  Cocheu,  the  Republican  candi- 
date, and  40  majority  over  both  Cocheu  and  Gleason".  As 
this  result  was  attained  in  a  district  which  the  Republicans 
have  carried  several  times,  against  a  single  Democrat,  it  is 
something  to  Mr.  Colahan's  credit.  After  the  result  was 
known  his  friends  tendered  him  the  compliment  of  a  sere- 
nade, which  was  in  every  way  a  pleasant  afEair. 

Mr.  Colahan  has  taken  rank  as  one  of  the  most  polished 
and  forcible  orators  in  the  present  House,  and  when  he  rises 
to  speak  he  never  fails  to  command  attention.  As  a  minority 
member  he  is  well  taken  care  of  on  the  Committees,  being 
on  Judiciary,  and  Privileges  and  Elections. 


AKTEMAS  W.  COMSTOCK, 


Niagara  county  is  this  year  represented  by  new  men  in 
both  districts.  Mr.  Comstock,  of  the  First  District,  is  a 
substantial  farmer  and  extensive  dairyman,  residing  near 
Lockport.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  high  character  and  pure 
motives,  and,  in  short,  precisely  such  a  man  as  an  intelligent 
New  York  constituency  should  send  to  the  Legislature.  He 
was  born  in  the  town  of  Cambria  on  the  15fch  of  December, 
1827.  His  father,  Thomas  Comstock,  was  a  Rhode  Island 
farmer,  in  comfortable  circumstances,  who,  soon  after  his  mar- 
riage to  Tryphena  Carpenter,  of  Pennsylvania,  settled  in 
Niagara  county  and  purchased  of  the  Holland  Land  Com- 
pany the  farm  in  Cambria  which  the  son  now  occupies.  He 
died  in  1864.  Young  Comstock  enjoyed  ample  educa- 
tional opportunities  during  his  youth,  attending  the  com- 


183  Ltfe  Sketches. 

mon  schools,  and  also  the  academy  at  Yates  Center,  Orleans 
county.  On  completing  his  education  he  wisely  chose  his 
father's  pursuit,  and,  succeeding  to  the  paternal  estate,  he 
now  owns  a  fine  farm  of  370  acres,  lying  adjacent  to  the  New 
York  Central  Railroad,  about  four  miles  from  Lockport. 

Mr.  CoMSTOCK  has  ahvays  felt  a  warm  interest  in  the 
political  movements  of  the  day,  giving  to  his  party  earnest 
counsel  and  active  co-operation.  He  commenced  his  politi- 
cal life  as  a  Whig,  and  when  the  Republican  party  came  into 
existence  he  promptly  identified  himself  with  it,  and  was,  in 
fact,  one  of  its  active  organizers.  In  1863  he  was  elected  a 
member  of  the  Niagara  county  Board  of  Supervisors,  serving, 
except  during  an  interval  of  one  year,  until  1868.  He  was 
thus  a  member  of  the  Board  during  two  of  the  war  years. 
He  felt  strongly  in  reference  to  the  issues  which  divided  the 
country  during  those  memorable  years,  but  not  being  in  a 
position  to  go  to  the  front  himself,  he  sent  a  substitute  who 
served  during  the  war. 

Mr.  CoMSTOCK  was  nominated  by  the  District  Convention 
last  fall  with  gratifying  unanimity.  His  life-long  residence 
in  the  county,  his  spotless  character,  and  his  sterling  quali- 
ties of  mind  and  heart,  rendered  him  in  all  respects  a  fitting- 
candidate  for  a  constituency  which  habitually  sends  to  the 
Assembly  men  much  above  the  average.  He  was  elected  by 
a  majority  of  686  over  Ira  Farnswoeth,  a  prominent  and 
able  Democrat,  his  vote  being  some  385  in  excess  of  that 
received  by  the  Republican  State  ticket.  He  is  a  member  of 
the  Committees  on  Banks  and  Manufacture  of  Salt. 

Mr.  CoMSTOCK  was  married  on  the  10th  of  March,  1857^ 
to  Miss  Evelike  Forsyth,  of  Lockport,  and  is  a  member 
of  the  Congregational  Church  of  Cambria. 


John  D.  Couqhlin.  183 


JOHN  D.  COUGHLIN. 


JoHK  D.  CouGHLiN  was  bom,  February  4,  1844,  in 
New  York  city,  in  Fifth  avenue  and  Fiftietli  street,  on  the 
identical  spot  where  is  now  being  erected  the  grand  Roman 
Catholic  Cathedral,  which  is  destined  to  be  one  of  the  most 
magnificent  church  structures  on  this  half  of  the  globe. 
Although  not  quite  thirty  years  ago,  Fifth  avenue,  now  the 
wonder  of  this  country  for  palatial  residences,  was  then  but 
a  country  wagon  road  at  Fiftieth  street ;  and  Mr.  CouQH- 
LIn's  father  ran  his  plow  through  ground  that  has  since  been 
divided  into  building  lots,  and  sold  for  $100,000  each. 

Mr.  CouGHLiN  is  a  graduate  of  the  public  schools  of  New 
York  city.  He  is  a  journalist  by  profession,  and  when 
twenty-five  years  of  age  established  the  New  York  School  Jour- 
nal,  the  first  and  only  educational  paper  published  weekly  in 
this  country.  During  the  war  he  was  so  earnest  in  his  oppo- 
sition to  slavery,  and  so  eager  for  the  preservation  of  the 
Union,  that  he  was  classed  as  a  Republican  in  politics,  but 
he  never  dropped  the  name  of  Democrat,  and,  at  the  close  of 
the  war,  commenced  to  take  an  active  part  in  Democratic 
politics.  During  the  reform  revolution  which  swept  over 
the  city  of  New  York  in  1869  and  1870,  he  wrote  for  the 
New  York  Tribune^  under  a  nom  de  plumes  a  series  of  scath- 
ing satirical  poems  which  attracted  considerable  attention, 
and  brought  him  prominently  before  the  public  as  a  politi- 
cal writer.  He  is  a  Roman  Catholic,  and  married  Miss 
Helen  C.  Bushnell,  daughter  of  William  Bushnell, 
well  known  throughout  this  State  for  his  connection  with 
the  iron  interests,  and  for  owning,  at  different  times,  several 
of  the  most  successful  furnaces  in  New  York  and  elsewhere. 

Mr.  CouGHLiN  represents  in  the  Assembly  the  district  in 
which  he  was  born,  the  Twentieth,  and  has  seen  it  grow  from 
a  country  village,  embracing  less  than  two  hundred  voters. 


184  Life  Sketches. 

into  a  magnificent  city  of  palatial  residences,  grand  public 
edifices,  beautiful  drives  and  parks,  with  a  voting  population 
of  upward  of  12,000. 

He  was  a  candidate  for  the  Assembly  in  1872,  but  was 
defeated,  the  Eepublican  candidate  receiving  a  plurality  of 
1,059.  In  the  late  canvass  he  was  opposed  by  two  candidates, 
David  Babcock,  Eepublican,  and  Moritz  Hertzberg, 
Apollo  Hall.    Mr.  Coughlin's  plurality  was  423. 

Mr.  CouGHLiN"  has  succeeded  in  making  a  very  favorable 
impression  in  the  Assembly.  He  is  a  fine  speaker,  attentive 
to  the  duties  of  legislation,  courteous  and  genial  in  his  inter- 
course with  others,  and  consequently  popular.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Committee  on  Cities. 


JAMES  DALY. 


Mr.  Daly  represents  the  Fourteenth  district  of  New  York 
city,  and  ranks  as  one  of  the  ablest  members  of  the  metropoli- 
tan delegation.  He  is  a  native  of  Ireland,  where  he  was  born 
about  the  year  1843.  His  parents,  still  living,  belong  to  the 
agricultural  class  in  the  old  country.  He  received  an  excel- 
lent collegiate  education,  and  was,  at  first,  intended  for  holy 
orders,  but  though  he  is  a  consistent  Roman  Catholic  his 
mind  took  another  bent,  and  since  the  completion  of  his 
studies  he  has  been  engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits.  He  did 
not  identify  himself  very  prominently  with  politics  until  the 
year  1870,  when  he  joined  the  Reform  movement  inaugura- 
ted in  New  York  that  year,  the  object  of  which  was  the  over- 
throw of  the  corrupt  Tammany  regime.  He  threw  himself 
into  this  movement  with  a  good  deal  of  enthusiasm,  and 
rendered  efficient  aid  to  those  who  were  carrying  on  the  good 
work.  He  held  no  political  office,  however,  until  he  was 
chosen  Member  of  Assembly,  by  a  very  gratifying  majority, 


Emerson  E.  Davis,  185 

though  two  strong  candidates,  Carl  Schmedler,  Republi- 
can, and  John  Murphy,  Democrat,  were  opposed  to  him. 
His  plurality  was  636. 

Mr.  Daly's  career  upon  the  floor  of  the  Assembly  has 
shown  that  he  possesses  unusual  ability.  Modest  and  unas- 
suming in  deportment,  he  is  an  extremely  clear  and  forcible 
speaker,  and  his  efforts  are  not  without  oratorical  grace.  He 
speaks  with  studied  carefulness,  and  uses  well  chosen  and 
exceedingly  appropriate  language.  He  attracted  attention 
in  the  early  portion  of  the  session  by  his  championship  of 
the  bill  to  settle  the  vexed  question  relative  to  the  powers 
of  the  common  council  and  certain  departments  over  public 
works.  He  is  a  Member  of  the  Committees  on  Charitable 
and  Religious  Societies,  and  Trade  and  Manufactures. 


EMERSON  E.  DAVIS. 


Mr.  Davis  is  a  conceded  representative  of  the  commercial 
interests  of  the  State.  He  is  largely  engaged  in  the  lumber 
and  transportation  business  in  Whitehall ;  and  the  fact  that, 
though  a  Democrat,  he  was  elected  by  a  decided  majority  from 
a  strong  Republican  district,  shows  pretty  clearly  that  parti- 
san considerations  had  very  little  to  do  with  his  election. 
No  man  in  the  State,  perhaps,  is  better  acquainted  with  the 
needs  of  the  canals,  or  the  intricacies  of  their  management, 
than  Mr.  Davis.  He  has  made  the  transportation  problem 
the  study  of  the  larger  portion  of  his  life-time,  and  just  at 
this  time,  when  that  question  is  attracting  renewed  atten- 
tion, his  election  to  the  Assembly  may  be  deemed  fortunate 
for  the  people  of  the  State.  He  has  already  suggested  several 
measures  calculated  to  reform  the  management  of  the  canals, 
and  whatever  may  be  thought  of  their  merits,  or  whatever 
may  be  their  fate  in  the  present  session,  they  will,  at  least, 
24 


186  Life  Sketches. 

have  the  effect  to  excite  needed  discussion  upon  a  question 
which  will  bear  much  controversy.  As  an  illustration  of 
Mr.  Davis'  position  in  this  connection,  we  may  state  that 
during  the  debate  in  the  Assembly  upon  the  proposed  Fifth 
Article  to  the  Constitution,  he  took  decided  ground  against 
most  of  the  members  of  his  own  party  in  advocating  that 
amendment,  mainly  because  it  would  place  the  appointment  of 
the  Canal  Commissioners  in  the  hands  of  the  Governor,  and 
thus  do  away  with  the  irresponsibility  and  clashing  of  author- 
ity which  now  exist  on  the  canals.  He  made  a  long 
and  able  speech  in  defense  of  his  action,  which  bristled  with 
facts  and  figures,  showing  the  corruption  and  mismanage- 
ment due  to  the  present  system.  His  speech  was  highly 
complimented  by  members  of  both  parties,  and  no  attempt 
was  made  to  reply  to  it.  The  amendment  was  voted  down, 
however,  its  features  in  other  respects  being  distasteful  to  a 
majority  of  the  members. 

Mr.  Davis  was  born  in  Hampton,  Washington  county, 
September  1,  1823,  and  is,  therefore,  now  in  the  full  prime 
of  life.  His  education  was  mainly  obtained  at  Granville 
Academy.  Soon  after  leaving  school  he  read  law  for  a  time 
with  Boyd  &  Billikgs  in  Whitehall,  and  qualified  himself 
to  that  extent  that  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  January, 
1846.  He  practiced  more  or  less  for  a  number  of  years,  but 
he  finally  became  engaged  in  commercial  life  at  Whitehall, 
and  he  is  now  one  of  the  most  successful  lumber  merchants 
and  forwarders  in  that  thriving  city. 

He  has  long  been  a  leading  Democrat  in  Washington 
county,  but  we  believe  he  never  before  held  any  public  office 
of  importance.  He  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  by  a  major- 
ity of  393  over  John"  Hall,  the  Kepublican  candidate.  As 
was  eminently  fitting,  in  view  of  his  special  qualifications,  the 
Speaker  gave  him  a  place  upon  the  Canal  Committee.  Mr. 
Davis  is  noted  as  being  one  of  the  most  thoughtful  and 
attentive  members  of  the  House ;  and  though  he  votes  with 
his  party  on  party  questions,  his  action  on  public  measures 


George  B.  Deane,  Jr.  187 

in  general  is  dictated  rather  by  a  regard  for  the  welfare  of 
the  whole  people  than  by  any  considerations  of  party  advan- 
tage. He  is  a  man  above  the  average  height,  of  agreeable 
presence  and  courteous  manners.  His  complexion  is  some- 
what dark  and  his  features  spare,  but  his  face  habitually 
wears  a  mild  aud  thoughtful  expression,  and  his  general 
appearance  is  that  of  a  studious  and  cultivated  gentleman. 
He  is  a  good  speaker,  and  a  clear,  incisive  reasoner,  but  he 
deals  in  facts,  and  the  conclusions  therefrom,  rather  than  the 
meretricious  graces  of  oratory.  His  speeches  embrace  the 
results  of  deep  thought  and  mature  conviction,  and  are, 
therefore,  generally  logical  and  sound.  He  is  a  valuable  mem- 
Der,  and  his  ability  is  acknowledged  even  by  his  opponents. 


GEORGE  B.  DEANE,  Jr. 


George  Bartch  Deane,  Jr.,  is  a  representative  young 
New  Yorker,  and  is  at  the  threshold  of  what  promises  to 
be  a  brilliant  career.  He  has  never  held  office  before,  either 
elective  or  appointive,  but  he  takes  quite  naturally  to  the  duties 
of  legislation,  aud  his  record  will  undoubtedly  be  an  honorable 
one.  He  was  born  in  New  York  city  August  31,  1848,  and 
is,  therefore,  in  his  twenty-sixth  year.  At  the  age  of  eighteen 
he  was  married  to  Miss  Jennie  Glassford,  also  of  New 
York.  His  father  was  a  native  cf  Albany,  and  is  still  living, 
at  the  age  of  fifty-five. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  educated  in  the  New  York 
public  schools,  Seward  Institute  in  Florida,  Orange  county, 
and  Monticello  Academy  in  Sullivan  county.  After  gradu- 
ating from  the  latter  institution  he  studied  law  and  was 
admitted  to  practice;  but  the  labors  of  the  profession  were 
not  congenial  to  him  and  he  abandoned  it.  He  is  now 
engaged  in  the  forwarding  business  with  his  father. 

Since  Mr.  Deane  attained  his  majority  he  has  been  an 


188  Life  Sketches, 

active  working  Kepublican,  and  there  are,  perhaps,  few  men. 
of  his  age  better  known  in  New  York  political  circles.  For 
the  last  two  years  he  has  been  a  member  of  the  Republican 
Central  Committee,  and  last  year  he  was  chairman  of  the 
Young  Men's  Republican  Central  Committee.  He  was,  in 
fact,  elected  to  the  Assembly  as  a  representative  young 
Republican.  The  canvass  last  fall  in  his  district  (the  ninth) 
was  more  than  ordinarily  sharp,  there  being  three  candidates 
in  the  field  besides  himself,  viz. :  A.  J.  Mathewsok,  Tam- 
many Hall,  Patrick  HsNiOiq^,  Apollo  Hall,  and  James  E. 
McVean"ey,  Liberal.  His  popularity  was  such,  however, 
that  he  was  elected  by  a  plurality  of  910,  the  Republican 
majority  in  the  district  last  year  being  but  816.  The  result 
of  the  election  was  certainly  very  creditable  to  Mr.  Dean^e. 
He  occupies  a  prominent  place  on  the  committees,  being  a 
member  of  Commerce  and  Navigation,  Public  Health  and 
State  Charitable  Institutions.  Though  a  member  of  no 
religious  denomination,  he  attends  the  Baptist  Church,  of 
which  his  wife  is  a  member. 


AUGUSTUS  DENNISTON. 


Though  quite  a  young  man,  Mr.  Denniston"  has  passed 
through  quite  an  eventful  career,  and  has  already  shown 
that  he  possesses  the  characteristics  of  the  Scotch-Irish 
ancestry  from  which  he  sprang.  He  was  born  on  the  25th 
of  May,  1842,  at  Blooming  Grove,  Orange  county,  where 
he  still  resides.  His  father  was  the  late  Hon.  Robert  Dek- 
NiSTO]sr,'who,  in  old  Barnburner  times,  was  distinguished  for 
his  integrity,  force  of  character  and  ability  during  several 
years  of  service  in  both  Houses  of  the  Legislature,  and  one 
term  as  Comptroller  of  the  State,  being  a  member  of  the 
noted  "State  Military  Board."  Young  Denniston  was 
educated  by  private  tutors  at  home,  and  enjoys,  therefore,  a. 


Augustus  Denniston.  189 

very  thorough  acquaintance  with  all  the  practical  branches  of 
knowledge.  In  1860,  when  his  father  was  elected  Comptrol- 
ler, he  accompanied  him  to  Albany  as  his  confidential  secre- 
tary, and  diligently  availed  himself  of  the  opportunity  thus 
afforded  of  becoming  familiar  with  the  practical  details  of 
legislation.  At  the  expiration  of  the  two  years  term  of  ser- 
vice, Mr.  Denniston  was  seized  with  the  war  fever,  then 
widely  prevalent  among  young  men,  and  receiving  the 
appointment  of  Quartermaster  of  the  124th  Regiment,  New 
York  Volunteers,  he  went  to  the  front  with  the  gallant  Col. 
Ellis.  He  made  an  excellent  Quartermaster,  winning  the 
good  opinion  of  the  entire  regiment,  but  the  severity  of  camp 
life  was  too  much  for  him,  and  he  was  compelled  to  resign 
after  about  six  months  service,  having  contracted  a  disease 
by  which  he  was  prostrated  nearly  a  twelve-month  after  his 
return.  Mr.  Denniston  belongs  to  a  patriotic  family.  Four 
brothers  and  a  brother-in-law  were  in  the  army  and  navy 
during  the  great  war.  Since  the  death  of  his  father,  in  1867, 
Mr.  Denniston  has  been  occupied  in  administering  and 
managing  the  large  estate  left  to  his  care,  as  well  as  being 
trustee  of  several  other  estates,  and  as  it  includes  one  of  the 
finest  farms  in  Orange  county,  it  furnishes  him  ample 
employment. 

Almost  from  boyhood  Mr.  Denniston  has  been  active  in 
political  life,  it  being  his  habit  always  to  attend  the  primary 
conventions,  rightly  believing  that  to  be  a  duty  especially 
incumbent  upon  those  who  would  secure  good  nominations. 
He  has  also  frequently  been  sent  as  a  delegate  to  various  delib- 
erative bodies.  He  was  elected  to  his  present  seat  in  the  fall 
of  1872,  and  is  the  first  Assemblyman  elected  in  many  years 
from  the  country  portion  of  his  district,  the  member  being 
generally  taken  from  the  city  of  Newburgh.  His  personal 
popularity  is  indicated  by  the  fact  that  he  then  received  a 
majority  of  nearly  nine  hundred  over  a  very  popular  Liberal 
Republican  opponent,  Alexander  Leslie,  of  Newburgh. 
He  served  in  the  last  House  —  being  a  member  of  the  Com- 


190  Life  Sketches. 

mittees  on  Charitable  and  Religious  Societies.,  Public  Print- 
ing and  Privileges  and  Elections  —  with  undoubted  ability, 
being  particularly  valuable  in  the  committee  room  and  in 
the  practical  details  of  legislation.  He  was  invariably 
against  all  corru2:)t  schemes  and  "  jobs,"  and  his  record  will 
well  bear  inspection.  His  Democratic  opponent  in  last  fall's 
canvass  was  James  W".  Miller,  of  Newburgh.  A  tremen- 
dous effort  was  made  to  elect  him,  but  Mr.  Dennistoi^ 
received  a  majority  of  291  in  a  very  light  poll.  His  own  town 
gave  him  a  majority  of  about  70,  while  the  Democratic  can- 
didate for  senator  and  sheriff  carried  it  by  about  50  majority. 
By  this  it  will  appear  that  his  career  thus  far  has  been 
eminently  satisfactory  to  those  who  know  him  best. 

Mr.  Denniston"  is  a  gentleman  of  pleasant  manners  and 
incorruptible  character,  possessing  in  a  large  degree  those 
qualities  which  are  essential  to  the  able  legislator.  He  is  a 
consistent  member  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and,  in  all 
the  public  and  private  relations  of  life,  is  without  reproach. 
He  has  never  married,  and,  with  the  exceptions  already 
noted,  has  always  lived  on  the  farm  occupied  by  his  father 
and  grandfather.  In  the  present  House  he  is  Chairman  of 
the  Committee  on  Two-thirds  and  Three-fifths  Bills  and 
member  of  Railroads  and  Charitable  and  Religious  Societies. 


ROBERT  DICKSON". 


We  are  not  exaggerating  when  we  say  that  Mr.  Dicksok, 
who  represents  the  Second  district  of  Rensselaer  county,  is, 
in  whatever  way  we  regard  him,  a  man  of  the  highest 
character.  His  well  developed  head  and  strongly  marked  fea- 
tures are  infallible  indications,  not  only  of  great  natural 
ability,  but  of  noble  impulses  and  a  correct  understanding  of 
the  relations  of  life.     The  son  of  a  father  whose  life  has 


Robert  Dickson,  191 

rounded  out  nearly  a  century,  he  worthily  perpetuates  the  vir- 
tues which  distinguish  his  progenitor,  and  enjoys,  as  he  well 
deserves,  the  unbounded  respect  and  esteem  of  a  community 
in  which  he  has  resided  nearly  a  lifetime.  In  that  commu- 
nity he  has  always  taken  a  deep  interest  in  all  that  would  add 
to  the  welfare  of  the  whole.  Blessed  with  wealth,  he  has 
used  it  for  the  benefit  of  others  without  stint,  and  it  is  perhaps 
just  to  say  that  to  him,  more  than  to  any  other  one  man,  the 
pleasant  village  of  Lansingburgh  owes  its  present  beauty  and 
prosperity.  Vail  avenue,  an  elegant  and  fashionable  thorough- 
fare, was  opened  as  the  result  of  his  patient  and  persistent 
efforts,  seconded  and  assisted  by  the  late  Jonathan  E. 
Whipple,  and  numerous  other  improvements,  which  enhance 
the  beauty  of  the  place,  attest  his  generosity  and  public  spirit. 
The  opening  of  the  avenue  referred  to  was  persistently  fought 
by  those  who  failed  to  see  as  far  into  the  future  as  Mr.  Dick- 
son, but  the  existence  of  the  fine  boulevard  is  proof  that  he 
triumphed  over  all  obstacles.  He  has  devoted  much  of  his 
time  to  these  improvements,  working  frequently  with  his  own 
hands  when  occasion  seemed  to  him  to  require  it. 

Robert  Dickson  was  born  at  Rathsfriland,  Ireland,  on 
the  12th  of  January,  1824.  His  father,  Alexander  Dick- 
son, resided  nearly  fifty  years  in  Ireland,  and  very  nearly  half 
a  century  ago  emigrated  to  this  country.  A  man  of  patri- 
archal simplicity  of  character  and  unbounded  hospitality,  the 
elder  Dickson  is  greatly  venerated  and  respected  by  the  com- 
munity, every  member  of  which  feels  a  personal  pride  in  his 
gray  hairs  and  homely  virtues.  The  son  had  no  other  oppor- 
tunities than  were  furnished  by  the  common  schools,  but  his 
studious  habits  enabled  him,  by  his  own  efforts,  to  secure  a 
very  excellent  education.  While  yet  a  boy,  he  learned  the 
trade  of  brush-maker  with  John  G.  McMurray  &  Co.,  of 
Lansingburgh,  and  adhered  to  the  business  through  life,  re- 
maining thirty  years  with  the  Messrs.  McMurray  &  Co.,  as 
apprentice,  journeyman  and  partner.  He  is  now  running  an 
extensive  establishment  of  his  own,  and  has  a  large  capital 


192  Life  Sketches. 

invested  in  the  business,  which  really  forms  the  leading 
industry  of  Lansingburgh. 

During  the  earlier  portion  of  his  political  life,  Mr.  Dickson 
was  a  Democrat,  and,  previous  to  1856,  he  was  faithful  to  the 
principles  and  candidates  of  that  party.  Since  the  Repub- 
lican party  came  into  being,  he  has  been  one  of  its  most 
ardent  supporters,  never  swerving  a  hair-breadth  in  his  alle- 
giance to  its  creed  or  to  its  standard-bearers.  As  a  conse- 
quence, he  possesses  great  influence  in  the  local  politics  of  his 
district.  He  is  especially  popular  among  the  workingmen, 
with  whom  he  mingles  as  one  of  themselves,  and  is  always  in 
full  sympathy  with  any  movement  which  promises  to  advance 
the  cause  of  labor,  and  better  the  condition  of  the  laborer. 
The  high  regard  felt  for  him  by  his  neighbors  is  perhaps 
rendered  sufficiently  obvious  by  the  fact  that  he  has  fre- 
quently been  a  member  of  the  village  Board  of  Trustees,  and 
during  four  years  was  President  of  the  Board.  In  this  posi- 
tion, to  which  very  little  glory  or  thanks  attaches,  he  always 
distinguished  himself  by  an  energetic  and  conscientious 
performance  of  the  duties  devolving  upon  him.  In  1872,  he 
was  appointed  Loan  Commissioner,  by  Gov.  Dix,  though  no 
intimation  had  previously  been  given  him  that  such  an  honor 
was  in  store  for  him.  He  did  not  seek  the  Assembly  nomi- 
nation which  was  tendered  him  last  fall,  but,  in  deference  to 
the  urgent  solicitations  of  his  friends,  he  consented  to  run. 
He  did  not  escape  the  usual  fate  of  candidates  for  office. 
During  an  unusually  sharp  canvass,  the  tongue  of  slander  was 
busy  in  a  persistent  attempt  to  injure  him  in  the  regard  of 
his  neighbors.  The  calumnies  had  no  other  effect,  however, 
than  to  sink  their  authors  still  lower  in  public  estimation. 
His  majority  over  his  Democratic  opponent,  Joseph  F. 
Knickerbocker,  was  376.  On  his  advent  into  the  Assem- 
bly, he  was  placed  upon  the  Committees  on  Canals,  Villages 
and  Public  Health,  and  thus  far,  though  he  has  developed  no 
disposition  to  consume  valuable  time  in  oratory,  he  has  made 
an  honorable  record. 


James  F,  Donahue.  193 

Mr.  Dickson  was  married,  in  1844,  to  Mary  Ann 
Stratton,  of  Lansingburgh.  He  is  a  consistent  member 
of  the  Baptist  persuasion,  and  it  may  truly  be  said  of  him, 
that,  in  all  the  relations  of  life,  he  is  distinguished  for  "  what- 
soever things  are  lovely  and  of  good  report." 


JAMES  F.  DONAHUE. 


James  Francis  Donahue  was  born  in  Brooklyn,  where 
he  still  resides,  December  25, 1843.  He  is  a  son  of  Timothy 
and  Mary  Donahue,  who  are  both  natives  of  Corry,  Ire- 
land, and  who  are  still  living  in  Brooklyn  at  an  advanced 
age.  In  fact,  Mr.  Donahue  comes  of  a  long-lived  stock, 
his  grandparents  having  all  of  them  lived  to  a  great  age. 
When  very  young,  Mr.  Donahue  enjoyed  some  common 
school  advantages,  but  he  was  able  to  acquire  very  little  aside 
from  the  merest  rudiments,  and  he  may  be  said  to  be  really 
self-educated.  Since  boyhood  he  has  followed  various  occu- 
pations. He  has  been  at  different  times  a  hatter,  a  candle- 
maker  and  a  ship-caulker,  and,  at  present,  he  is  very  success- 
fully engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits.  Soon  after  the  break- 
ing out  of  the  rebellion  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  Four- 
teenth (Brooklyn)  regiment,  which  was  attached  to  the  first 
brigade,  first  corps,  army  of  the  Potomac,  and  was  in  all  the 
battles  in  which  that  noted  regiment  participated,  until 
nearly  the  close  of  the  war.  He  never  asked  nor  sought  pro- 
motion, but  was  content  to  do  his  duty  as  a  soldier,  regardless 
of  honors  or  emoluments.  In  1868  he  was  married  to  an 
estimable  lady  of  Brooklyn.  During  several  years  past  Mr. 
Donahue  has  been  an  active  and  influential  Democratic 
politician  in  his  district,  being  frequently  called  upon  to  do 
duty  as  delegate  to  the  Assembly,  Senatorial  and  County 
conventions  of  his  party.  The  good  sense  and  thoroughness 
25 


194  Life  Sketches. 

with  which  he  performed  his  duties,  together  with  his  known 
personal  popularity,  moved  his  friends  to  nominate  him  for 
the  Assembly  in  the  fall  of  1872.  He  accepted  the  nomina- 
tion and  was  elected,  after  a  spirited  contest,  by  a  majority 
of  283  over  Patrick  J.  Oolltn-s,  a  Democratic  opponent, 
there  being  no  Kepublican  in  the  field.  In  the  ensuing 
session  he  served  on  three  committees.  Public  Education, 
Civil  Divisions  and  Public  Lands.  He  was  re-elected  last 
fall,  the  same  opponent  being  in  the  field,  by  the  increased 
majority  of  447.  This  year  he  serves  on  Charitable  and 
Eeligious  Societies  and  Public  Education,  and  is  known  as  a 
quiet,  attentive  and  industrious  legislator.  Mr.  Doistahue  is 
a  little  below  the  medium  height,  but  he  is  solidly  built  and 
well-knit  together.  His  face,  which  is  round  and  full,  is 
closely  shaven,  and,  without  going  into  details,  we  may 
observe  that  his  appearance  is  prepossessing  and  indicative 
of  much  ability,  as  well  as  capacity  to  appreciate  the  social 
amenities  of  life. 


HARVEY  G.  EASTMAN. 


Mr.  Eastmaic  constitutes,  perhaps,  the  most  strongly 
marked  individuality  in  the  present  Assembly.  He  is  a 
genuine  representative  Yankee ;  not,  indeed,  such  an  out- 
growth of  American  civilization  as  would  be  pictured  by  an 
envious  Briton  or  a  negro-hating  Southerner;  but  one  of 
those  model  Brother  Jonathans  who  are  the  personification 
of  energetic  perseverance  and  large-hearted  honesty.  He  is 
a  man  who  would  conquer  adverse  fate  in  whatever  position 
he  might  be  placed,  and  a  man,  also,  well  fitted,  by  his  solid 
natural  attainments,  and  the  inherent  nobility  of  his  charac- 
ter, to  occupy  any  station  in  life.  His  entire  career,  thus 
far,  is  a  record  of  restless,  nervous  activity,  but  it  has  always 
been  an  activity  directed  to  some  well  defined  object,  certain 


Harvey  G.  Eastman.  195 

of  accomplishment.  In  his  business  enterprises,  Mr.  East- 
man has  sometimes  displayed  daring  even  to  rashness,  but 
he  is  never  chimerical  or  impracticable.  His  schemes  invaria- 
bly rest  upon  sound  business  principles,  and  are  often 
designed  as  much  for  the  welfare  of  the  public  at  large  as 
for  his  own  emolument.  The  splendid  business  school  in 
Poughkeepsie  which  bears  his  name,  and  of  which  he  is  the 
President,  is  a  monument  to  his  indomitable  energy  and 
sagacity.  It  is  known  everywhere  as  one  of  tlie  most  suc- 
cessful and  useful  schools  of  its  kind  in  the  country,  and  in 
some  respects  it  is  without  a  rival,  while  hundreds  of  pros- 
perous men  in  all  parts  of  the  United  States  attribute  tlieir 
success,  in  large  degree,  to  the  practical  lessons  received 
within  its  walls.  If  Mr.  Eastman  had  accomplished  noth- 
ing else  during  his  active  life,  the  foundation  of  the  East- 
man Business  College  will  be  regarded  as  an  achievement 
worthy  to  fill  the  measure  of  any  man's  life. 

Harvey  G.  Eastman  was  born  in  Marshall,  Oneida 
county,  November  16,  18.S2.  He  enjoyed  in  youth  very  few 
opportunities  for  acquiring  an  education.  Occasionally  he 
attended  n  public  school,  but  public  schools  had  not  then 
reached  the  excellence  they  now  possess,  and  it  was  not 
always  an  easy  task  for  the  most  determined  pupil  to  extort 
an  education  from  one  of  them.  Young  Eastman  obtained 
his  education,  however,  and  lost  no  time  in  putting  it  to 
practical  use.  He  early  conceived  the  idea  of  inaugurating 
a  school  which  should  aim  to  give  young  men  the  practical 
business  knowledge  so  necessary  to  them,  but  which  is  imper- 
fectly obtained  amid  the  multiplicity  of  studies  in  our 
common  schools  and  academies.  His  idea  was  thoroughly 
thought  out  and  elaborately  matured  before  he  put  it  in 
practice,  and  when  he  actually  commenced  the  experiment  in 
Poughkeepsie,  some  sixteen  years  ago,  it  was  on  a  very  limited 
scale.  He  located  in  a  small  room,  and  began  the  develop- 
ment of  his  theories  with  a  single  pupil.  He  was  a  stranger 
in  the  place,  and  the  new  comer,  with  his  new  ideas,  was 


196  Life  Sketches. 

obliged  to  face  a  good  deal  of  discouragement  from  a  people 
somewhat  embued  with  old  fogyism.  He  straggled,  however, 
fought  adversity  and  public  opinion,  advertised  stupendously 
and  gradually  worked  his  way  up.  His  theory  of  education 
soon  became  popular,  and  students  flocked  to  him  from  all 
quarters.  From  one  pupil  his  school  came  to  embrace  six- 
teen hundred,  representing  all  the  States  of  the  Union,  filling 
the  staid  old  town  with  a  new  population,  and  giving  the  city 
a  noticeable  impetus  in  growth  and  prosperity.  Instead  of 
a  single  apartment  the  needs  of  the  institution  now  require 
four  spacious  structures,  and  an  educational  corps  of  more 
than  sixty  instructors.  It  is  an  institution  in  which  the 
inhabitants  of  Poughkeepsie  may  well  feel  pride. 

But  while  building  up  his  own  institution,  Mr.  Eastman" 
was  not  blind  to  the  interest  of  the  city  which  he  had  chosen 
as  the  field  of  his  operations,  and  numerous  public  improve- 
ments which  he  has  initiated  or  actively  aided,  attest  his 
public  spirit  and  sagacity.  The  project  of  building  a  bridge 
across  the  Hudson  river  at  Poughkeepsie,  which  is  now  so 
far  advanced  that  its  successful  completion  at  an  early  day 
is  assured,  is  the  result  of  his  active  and  unremitting  exer- 
tions. That  it  will  ere  long  be  the  connecting  link  in  another 
grand  trunk  line  between  the  west  and  the  east  cannot  be 
doubted.  Mr.  Eastman  was  one  of  the  first  promoters  of 
the  enterprise,  and  advocated  and  secured  the  passage  of  the 
charter  of  the  company  in  the  Legislature  of  1872.  The 
corner  stone  of  the  structure,  which  is  to  be  of  magnificent 
proportions,  was  laid  on  the  17th  of  December,  1873,  with 
imposing  ceremonies,  Mr.  Eastmak,  as  Mayor  of  the  city, 
presiding. 

The  man  who  exhibits  such  qualities  in  a  business  point 
of  view,  cannot  fail  to  prove  valuable  in  public  position. 
Hence  Mr.  Eastman"  has  frequently  been  honored  with 
important  trusts  by  his  fellow  citizens.  Twice  he  has  been 
elected  Mayor  of  Poughkeepsie,  holding  the  office  at  the 
present  time,  and  twice  he  has  been  elected  a  member  of 


Harvey  G.  Eastman.  197 

Assembly.  For  eight  years  past  he  has  held  the  office  of 
State  Commissioner  of  Public  Charities,  his  last  re-appoint- 
ment being  by  Governor  Dix  last  fall.  A  year  ago  he  was 
recommended  by  the  Governor,  United  States  Senators,  State 
Officers,  and  nearly  the  entire  Senate  and  Assembly  as  Min- 
ister to  Japan.  He  has  always  taken  a  leading  part  in  public 
measures  in  his  city  and  the  state.  In  every  position,  whether 
in  official,  business  or  private  life,  he  is  distinguished  for  his 
unimpeachable  integrity,  and  those  engaging  personal  quali- 
ties that  mark  the  cultivated  gentleman.  To  these  distin- 
guishing qualities  is  allied  that  ever  present  and  most 
prominent  one,  his  indomitable  perseverance,  through  which 
he  wrings  success  from  even  reluctant  fortune,  backed  by 
the  vital  force  of  a  manhood  in  its  early  prime. 

Identified  with  the  Republican  party  from  its  earliest 
organization,  he  has  ever  remained  faithful  throughout  all 
its  fortunes,  and  has  always  been  considered  its  ablest  and 
and  most  reliable  local  leader,  ready  at  all  times  to  devote 
his  purse,  time  and  labor,  unrequited,  to  its  interests.  For 
four  years  past  he  has  held  the  Chairmanship  of  the  Dutchess 
County  Committee. 

In  the  Assembly  canvass  of  1871,  his  popularity  was  such 
that  his  Democratic  competitor  withdrew  from  the  field,  and 
he  received  all  the  votes  cast.  The  next  year  Mr.  Eastman 
declined  a  renomination,  and  the  Democracy  carried  the 
district  by  something  over  1,200  majority,  900  of  which  was 
obtained  in  the  city  of  Poughkeepsie.  Last  fall  he  received 
a  majority  in  the  city  of  556.  the  Democratic  State  ticket 
and  Senator  receiving  526  majority.  His  plurality  in  the 
district  was  127,  Benjaman  S.  Broas,  Democrat,  and 
Stephen  S.  English,  Temperance,  being  the  opposing  can- 
didates. No  further  statement  is  needed  to  show  his  popu- 
larity at  home.  During  his  first  session  he  served  on  the 
Committees  on  Cities,  Education  and  Sub-Committee  of  the 
Whole.  This  year  he  is  Chairman  of  Cities  and  member  of 
Grievances  and  State  Charitable  Institutions.     During  the 


198  Life  Sketches. 

present  session  he  has  been  distinguished  for  his  efforts  in 
behalf  of  Eapid  Transit  in  New  York.  The  plan  which 
he  submitted  to  accomplish  that  desideratum  possesses  novel 
and  meritorious  features,  and  has  attracted  wide  attention. 
At  an  immense  meeting  held  in  New  York  to  consider  the 
subject,  Mr.  Eastman"  advocated  his  scheme  in  an  able  and 
eloquent  speech,  and  his  efforts  in  this  regard  have  been 
warmly  complimented  by  the  press  of  New  York. 

Few  members  of  the  House  are  more  generally  popular 
than  Mr.  Eastman".  He  is  genial  and  companionable  in  all 
his  personal  intercourse,  and  a  genuine  respect  grows  out  of 
the  fact  that  he  is  energetic,  persistent  and  capable  in  every 
situation  in  which  he  is  placed.  He  was  married,  in  June, 
1856,  to  Miss  Minnie  M.  Clark,  of  Canastota,  N.  Y. 


WILLIAM  H.  ELY. 


Mr.  Ely  is  a  quiet  but  extremely  attentive  member,  repre- 
senting the  first  district  of  Otsego  county.  Though  new  to  the 
Legislature,  he  is  well  known  throughout  Otsego  countv, 
where  he  has  resided  all  his  life,  and  enjoys  deserved  popu- 
larity. He  was  born  in  Middlefield,  Otsego  county,  on  the 
2d  of  October,  1829,  being  the  son  of  Hon.  Samuel  Ely, 
now  deceased,  who  was  a  prominent  physician,  and  at  one 
time  President  of  the  State  Medical  Society.  He  was  also  a 
member  of  the  State  Senate  from  1840  to  1843,  both  years 
inclusive,  a  member  of  the  Assembly  in  1836,  and  has  filled 
numerous  other  positions. 

Mr.  Ely,  the  present  member,  was  educated  in  common 
and  select  schools,  and  brought  up  to  mercantile  pursuits. 
He  was  married,  in  1865,  to  Miss  Ella  Caryl,  of  New  York 
city.  Establishing  himself  in  business,  he  followed  it  suc- 
cessfully until  a  few  years  ago,  when  he  turned  his  attention 
to  farming,  and  is  now  the  owner  of  a  desirable  estate  at  East 
Worcester,  where  he  resides. 


Alonzo  H.  Farrar.  199 

He  has  always  been  a  Democrat,  and  has  from  an  early  age 
been  more  or  less  in  politics.  Possessing,  as  he  does,  a  rare 
degree  of  tact  and  judgment,  his  co-operation  and  counsel 
have  been  highly  esteemed  by  his  party.  During  a  period  of 
six  years,  commencing  in  1863  and  omitting  1867,  he  served 
in  the  Otsego  Board  of  Supervisors,  making  an  excellent 
record  for  integrity  and  legislative  capacity.  So  well  satisfied 
were  his  constituents,  indeed,  that  he  was  twice  returned  to 
the  board  without  opposition. 

He  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  by  a  majority  of  486,  over 
an  extremely  popular  Republican,  Hon.  Wm.  W.  Campbell, 
the  Democratic  majority  last  year  being  only  67.  He  is  a 
member  of  the  Committee  on  Roads  and  Bridges. 


ALONZO  H.  FARRAR. 


Mr.  Farrar  is  a  young  man  who  has  as  fair  a  future 
before  him  as  any  other  in  the  Assembly.  He  has  just 
made  his  entry  into  public  life,  and  being  in  the  flush  of 
early  manhood,  and  possessed  of  much  more  than  ordinary 
abilities,  it  is  reasonable  to  anticipate  for  him  a  brilliant  and 
useful  career.  Personally,  he  is  one  of  those  whole-souled 
fellows  who  are  popular  with  everybody.  He  is  quick  of 
perception,  pleasing  of  address,  keenly  perceptive  of  the 
ludicrous  side  of  human  nature,  and  an  excellent  talker. 
It  is  not  surprising,  therefore,  that  he  should  be  a  general 
favorite.  In  point  of  solid  attainments,  also,  he  is  fitted  to 
rank  with  the  most  accomplished  members  of  the  House, 
and  he  is  in  all  respects  a  gentleman  whose  character  it  is 
a  pleasure  to  contemplate. 

Alonzo  Hawley  Farrar  was  born  in  Middletown,  Vt., 
on  the  29th  of  March,  1843,  and  is,  therefore,  thirty-one 
years  of  age.  His  father,  Franklin  A.  Farrar,  still 
resides  at  West  Rupert,  Vt.,  and  is  a  retired  farmer.     His 


200  Life  Sketches. 

mother's  maiden  name  was  Mary  A.  Hawley.  Young 
Farrar  received  his  education  at  Fort  Edward  Institute, 
Burr  &  Burton  Seminary,  Manchester,  Vt.,  and  the  Albany 
Law  School.  Graduating  from  the  latter  institution  with 
honor,  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1864.  Soon  after,  he 
commenced  practicing  law  at  Kinderhook,  Columbia  county, 
and  has  met  with  gratifying  success.  In  December,  1868, 
he  was  married  to  Anista  0.  Mesick,  of  Kinderhook.  As 
the  result  of  his  eight  or  nine  years  of  practice,  Mr.  Farrar 
enjoys  wide  repute  as  an  advocate,  and  is,  to-day,  one  of  the 
most  brilliant  members  of  the  Columbia  county  bar. 

Since  attaining  his  majority,  Mr.  Farrar  has  taken  a 
warm  interest  in  politics,  being  always  identified  with  the 
Eepublican  party.  He  never  ran  for  office,  however,  until 
last  fall,  when  he  was  opposed  by  a  popular  Democrat,  Peter 
F.  Mesick,  and  elected  to  the  Assembly  by  a  majority  of  307, 
in  a  district  which  was  Democratic  the  previous  year  by  324 
majority. 

Mr.  Farrar  holds  orthodox  views  in  religion,  and  pos- 
sesses a  character,  in  all  respects,  above  reproach.  Since  he 
has  taken  his  seat  in  the  Assembly,  he  has  made  an  excellent 
record.  His  maiden  speech,  made  in  opposition  to  the  pro- 
posed amendment  to  the  Fifth  Article  of  the  Constitution, 
attracted  general  attention,  and  not  only  placed  him  in  the 
front  rank  of  debaters,  but  gave  indication  of  his  independ- 
ent spirit,  his  action  not  being  in  accordance  with  what  was 
regarded  as  the  policy  of  his  party.  He,  however,  deemed 
it  his  duty  to  enter  his  protest  against  any  attempt  to  take 
the  powers  of  government  out  of  the  hands  of  the  people, 
and  the  fact  that  the  proposition  was  defeated  is  undoubt- 
edly due  to  the  strenuous  opposition  of  Mr.  Farrar  and 
Col.  Charles  S.  Spencer,  of  New  York,  both  Republicans. 
In  the  organization  of  the  House,  Mr.  Farrar  was  awarded 
a  place  on  the  important  committees  on  the  Judiciary, 
Grievances  and  Local  and  Special  Laws. 


Hamilton  Fish,  Jr.  201 

HAMILTON  FISH,  Jr. 


Colonel  Fish  is  the  youngest  member  of  the  present 
Assembly,  being  only  twenty-five  years  of  age.  He  was  born 
in  Albany  April  17, 1849,  while  his  father,  now  Secretary  of 
State  of  the  United  States,  was  Governor  of  the  State  of 
Kew  York.  The  career  of  ex-Governor  Fish  is  so  well 
known  to  the  country  tliat  we  need  make  no  more  than  the 
briefest  reference  to  it  here.  He  has  served  the  country  in 
numerous  capacities,  and  has  always,  whether  his  duties 
were  legislative,  executive  or  diplomatic,  displayed  a  high 
order  of  statesmanship,  and  reflected  honor  upon  the 
nation  and  the  State  of  his  birth.  At  the  present  moment 
he  occupies  that  which,  next  to  the  Presidential  office,  is  the 
most  important  position  in  the  National  Governmeni,  and 
the  signal  ability  which  he  has  displayed  in  the  settlement 
of  intricate  international  questions  has  given  him  a  world- 
wide fame. 

Col.  Fish,  therefore,  comes  of  good  stock,  and  it  is  just  to 
observe  that  he  has  already  shown  that  he  possesses  in  large 
measure  the  qualities  which  distinguish  his  illustrious  parent. 
He  is  well  and  finely  educated,  endowed  with  rare  natural 
talents,  and  is  besides  a  man  of  keen  perception,  correct 
judgment  and  strict  integrity.  It  is  perfectly  safe  to  predict 
for  him  a  successful  career.  He  was,  as  we  have  said,  edu- 
cated in  Columbia  college.  New  York  city.  Graduating  in 
1869,  he  was  chosen  valedictorian  of  the  class  of  that  year, 
and  acquitted  himself  with  credit.  After  an  interval  of  two 
years,  during  which  he  acted  as  private  secretary  for  his 
father  in  the  State  Department,  he  entered  Columbia  College 
Law  School,  and  graduated  from  that  department  in  the 
spring  of  1873,  with  all  the  honors.  He  was  then  admitted 
to  the  bar,  and  has  since  practiced  his  chosen  profession, 
having  an  office  at  No.  16  Wall  street.  New  York  city.  On 
the  accession  of  Governor  Dix  to  the  gubernatorial  chair, 


202  Life  Sketches. 

he  was  appointed  aide-de-camp  upon  his  staff,  with  the  rank 
of  Colonel. 

In  politics  Col.  Fish  has,  of  course,  always  been  a  Repub- 
lican, and  though  his  record  is  as  yet  a  short  one,  he  has 
performed  important  services  for  the  party.  During  the 
exciting  Presidential  campaign  of  1872,  he  was  Chairman  of 
the  Putnam  County  Republican  Committee,  and  in  that 
capacity  took  an  active  part  in  the  contest.  He  was  also 
a  delegate  from  that  county  to  the  Republican  State  Con- 
vention at  XJtica,  on  the  24th  of  September.  His  nomina- 
tion to  the  Assembly  by  the  Republicans  of  Putnam  county 
followed,  and  though  his  Democratic  opponent  was  Saxtok 
Smith,  a  gentleman  who  has  already  distinguished  himself 
in  both  branches  of  the  Legislature,  he  was  elected  by  a 
majority  of  431.  For  the  first  time  in  its  history,  Putnam 
county  gave  a  decided  majority  for  the  entire  Republican 
State  and  County  ticket  at  the  late  election.  The  Speaker 
of  the  House  made  deserved  recognition  of  Col.  Fish's 
ability  by  giving  him  a  place  on  the  Committees  on  Cities 
and  Militia,  and  the  Chairmanship  of  State  Charitable 
Institutions. 

Col.  Fish's  genial  manner  and  innumerable  graces  of 
character  have  won  him  hosts  of  friends,  and  he  is  extremely 
popular  in  Albany  social  circles.  He  is  an  Episcopalian  in 
religious  belief,  and  is  unmarried. 


ROBERT  B.  FOOTE. 


Mr.  FooTE  represents,  for  the  second  time,  the  Fifth  dis- 
trict of  Erie  county,  which  has  heretofore  been  Demo- 
cratic. He  is  a  man  of  considerable  ability  and  force  of 
character,  having,  by  dint  of  well-directed  energy,  worked 
himself  up  from  poverty  to  a  position  of  comparative  afflu- 
ence. 


Robert  B.  Foots.  203 

Bom  in  England,  on  the  13  th  of  February,  1844,  he  was 
brought  to  this  country  by  his  parents  when  only  three  years 
old.  His  youth  was  spent  upon  the  farm,  with  intervals  of 
hard  study  in  the  common  school  and  academy.  During  the 
winters  of  1861  and  1862,  and  also  that  of  1865,  he  taught 
school.  In  1862  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  116th  Regi- 
ment of  New  York  Volunteers,  and  accompanied  the  regi- 
ment in  the  eventful  campaign  which  culminated  in  the  cap- 
ture of  Port  Hudson.  In  the  sanguinary  struggle  for  the 
possession  of  that  stronghold,  he  lost  the  forefinger  of  his 
right  hand  and  the  index  and  middle  fingers  of  his  left  hand. 
The  disability  thus  occasioned  resulted  in  his  honorable  dis- 
charge a  couple  of  months  later,  he  having  in  the  mean  time 
been  promoted  to  a  non-commissioned  grade. 

In  1864  he  located  in  the  oil  regions  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
became  interested  in  certain  oil  property  which  proved  very 
valuable.  He  operated  several  oil  wells  and  kept  a  hardware 
store  until  1867,  when  he  left  the  oil  regions,  having  secured 
a  moderate  fortune.  He  then  purchased  a  farm  in  the  town 
of  Hamburgh,  Erie  county,  and  has  since  been  quietly 
engaged  in  agricultural  pursuits,  in  which  he  has  been  fairly 
successful.  He  was  married  in  1865  to  Mary  G.  Kingscott, 
of  Buffalo. 

Always  a  strong  Republican,  Mr.  Foote  has  generally  been 
quite  active  in  the  local  councils  of  his  party,  but  until 
elected  to  the  Assembly,  in  1872,  he  never  held  office.  He 
ran  for  supervisor  of  his  town  three  years  ago,  but  was 
defeated  by  a  small  majority,  as  the  town  has  generally  been 
Democratic.  His  majority  over  Mr.  Wiley,  in  the  Assembly 
canvass  of  1872,  was  240.  Last  fall  he  was  re-elected  by  a 
majority  of  140  over  Frank  M.  Thorn. 

Mr.  Foote  is  a  man  of  quiet  manner  and  modest  bearing ; 
though  he  has  little  to  say  in  debate,  he  watches  the  legisla- 
tive proceedings  with  close  interest,  and  is  seldom  absent 
from  his  seat.  In  the  last  House  he  was  a  member  of  the 
Committee  on  Claims,  Two-thirds  and  Three-fifths  Bills  and 


204  Life  Sketches. 

Indian  Affairs.    He  is  now  upon  Claims,  State  Charitable 
Institutions  and  Indian  Affairs. 


GEORGE  A.  GOSS. 


Mr.  Goss  was  born  at  Pittsford,  N.  Y.,  March  3,  1834.  He 
is  the  son  of  Hon.  Ephraim  Goss,  who  represented  the 
Twenty-eighth  (Rochester)  district  in  the  State-  Senate  during 
the  years  1860  and  1861. .  Senator  Goss  was  born  in  West  Ful- 
ton, Schoharie  county,  N.  Y.,  on  the  12th  of  June,  1806.  Mr. 
Goss's  mother  was  the  daughter  of  Chaukcey  Porter,  and 
born  in  Nassau,  Rensselaer  county,  N.  Y.,  March  9,  1814 ; 
his  great  grandfather,  Ephraim  Goss,  served  through  the 
war  of  Independence,  and  was  a  gallant  and  successful  sol- 
dier. The  subject  of  this  sketch  received  his  education  in 
the  common  and  union  district  school.  For  a  short  time  he 
followed  the  occupation  of  farmer,  but  for  several  years  he 
has  been  engaged  in  the  commission  business.  His  first  vote 
was  given  for  the  Republican  ticket  in  the  year  1855,  and  he 
has  ever  since  been  a  reliable  and  active  Republican,  devot- 
ing much  time  as  a  member  of  the  County  Central  Commit- 
tee and  otherwise  to  the  success  of  the  party.  Besides  hold- 
ing a  number  of  town  offices,  he  was  in  the  year  1871  unan- 
imously nominated  by  the  Republican  Convention  of  the 
First  Assembly  District  of  Monroe  county,  and  triumphantly 
elected,  and  in  1872  was  re-elected  by  322  majority,  defeating 
Richard  D.  Cole,  the  Democratic  candidate.  In  1873  he 
was  again  chosen,  receiving  a  majority  of  385  over  S.  Hatch 
Gould,  Democrat.  Last  year  Mr.  Goss  was  Chairman  of  the 
Committee  on  Expenditures  of  the  Executive  Department, 
and  member  of  the  Committees  on  Villages  and  Education. 
This  year  he  is  Chairman  of  Villages  and  member  of  Com- 
merce and  Navigation  and  Sub-committee  of  the  Whole. 


Harmon  L.  Gregory.  205 

He  is  a  regular  attendant  upon  the  sessions  of  the  House, 
looking  after  the  interest  of  the  State,  and  especially  watch- 
ing and  taking  care  of  the  business  of  his  constituents. 

Frank,  genial  and  courteous  in  his  intercourse  with  every 
one,  Mr.  Goss  is  certainly  a  very  popular  member  of  the 
present  House.  He  is  large  and  well  built,  with  a  prepos- 
sessing countenance  and  generally  agreeable  presence.  He 
possesses  what  is  a  prime  requisite  to  those  compelled  to  labor 
in  the  unhealthy  atmosphere  of  the  Assembly  chamber,  a 
sound  constitution  and  robust  physique,  but  above  all,  he  is 
a  man  of  unquestioned  integrity  of  character  and  earnestness 
of  purpose.    He  is  still  unmarried. 


HARMON  L.  GREGORY. 


Mr.  Gregory  is  simply  an  unostentatious  citizen  of 
Schuyler  county,  where  he  has  lived  and  worked  hard  all  "his 
life.  He  is,  however,  a  good  citizen,  able  and  efficient  in  the 
discharge  of  every  public  duty,  and  no  shadow  of  suspicion 
attaches  to  his  name.  He  was  born  in  Reading,  Schuyler 
county,  on  the  7th  of  November,  1822,  being  the  son  of 
JosiAH  Gregory,  now  deceased,  who  was  a  native  of  Con- 
necticut, a  mechanic,  and  a  pioneer  settler  of  what  is  now 
known  as  Altay,  in  Schuyler  county.  Like  others  at  that 
early  day,  he  struggled  long  with  privations  unknown  to 
later  years.  He  died  at  the  age  of  86,  and  his  wife,  Lois, 
died  at  the  age  of  70.  The  subject  of  our  sketch,  however, 
was  favored  with  a  good  common  school  education,  and  com- 
menced teaching  at  the  age  of  eighteen  years.  He  taught 
during  several  winter  terms,  working  on  the  farm  summers. 
In  1853  he  represented  his  town  in  the  Board  of  Supervisors 
of  Steuben  county  —  before  the  formation  of  Schuyler  —  and 
was  elected  to  the  same  office  for  the  latter  county  in  1867, 


206  Life  Sketches. 

and  re-elected  in  1868, 1869  and  1870.  He  was  well  qualified, 
both  by  nature  and  experience,  for  the  duties  of  the  office, 
and  therefore  enjoyed,  in  a  marked  degree,  the  confidence, 
respect  and  esteem  of  his  constituents  and  of  his  fellow 
members  in  the  Board.  In  1869  he  was  chairman  of  the 
Board. 

Mr.  Geegory  was  born  amid  Democratic  influences,  and 
until  1856  he  acted  with  that  party.  Since  the  formation  of 
the  Republican  organization  he  has  steadily  acted  with  it 
He  voted  on  the  day  he  reached  his  majority  and  has  never 
missed  an  election  since. 

All  who  know  Mr.  Gregory,  of  whatever  party,  creed  or 
sect,  give  him  credit  for  intelligence,  fairness  and  unflinching 
integrity.  No  blot  or  stain  has  ever  tarnished  his  character 
as  a  Republican  or  citizen,  and  no  man  enjoys  more  fully  the 
confidence  and  respect  of  his  own  immediate  neighbors  — 
those  who  have  the  best  opportunity  to  understand  and  appre- 
ciate a  man's  true  worth.  He  was  the  member  from  Schuy- 
ler in  1872,  and  performed  his  duties  satisfactorily  in  all 
respects.  In  the  fall  of  that  year  he  was  a  candidate  for 
re-election,  but  was  defeated  by  Mr.  McGuire,  owing  to  local 
complications,  by  104  votes.  Last  fall  Mr.  McGuire  was 
again  his  opponent,  and  after  a  hotly  contested  canvass  Mr. 
Gregory  was  successful  by  16  majority,  being  probably  the 
only  Republican  in  the  county  who  could  have  defeated  Mr.  M. 

Mr.  Gregory  was  married  in  March,  1845,  to  Catharine 
SuTPHiN,  of  Tyrone.  A  plain,  honest  farmer,  he  depends  as 
little  upon  mereti'icious  display  as  any  man  in  the  Assembly, 
nnd  there  are  few,  perhaps,  who  will  on  the  whole  make  a 
better  record. 


Matthew  Griffin,  207 


MATTHEW  GRIFFIN. 


Mr.  Griffin  is  a  self-made  man.  His  early  youth  was 
passed  amid  humble  surroundings,  and  though  he  was  com- 
pelled to  earn  his  own  support  from  a  very  early  age,  he 
managed,  by  close  application  during  his  winter  schooling, 
to  obtain  a  good  education.  He  was  born  in  Fishkill, 
Dutchess  county,  in  this  State,  October  22,  1811,  of  parents 
who  were  of  English  descent,  his  father's  name  being 
EzEKiEL  Griffin".  His  education  was  mainly  self-acquired 
after  he  became  able  to  work.  At  the  age  of  nine  he  was 
"put  out,"  as  the  phrase  is,  as  a  servant  boy,  his  parents 
being  in  very  poor  circumstances.  Two  years  later  young 
Griffin  went  to  Delaware  county  and  commenced  doing 
farm  work  on  his  own  account ;  so  industrious  was  he  that 
by  the  time  he  had  reached  the  age  of  eighteen,  he  had 
accumulated  sufficient  means  to  buy  a  small  place,  and  make 
a  comfortable  home  for  his  parents,  who  lived  with  him  until 
they  died,  his  father  in  1838,  and  his  mother  in  1842.  After 
his  eighteenth  year,  he  was  able  to  secure  schooling  during 
three  winters,  working  out  during  the  remainder  of  the  year. 
He  worked  by  the  day  or  week  until  he  had  reached  his 
twenty-fifth  year,  by  which  time,  as  the  result  of  prudence 
and  close  economy,  he  found  himself  the  possessor  of  a 
respectable  savings.  With  this,  in  1836,  he  established  him- 
self in  a  mercantile  business.  This  he  continued  until  1871. 
In  1846  he  returned  to  Rondout,  Ulster  county,  and  engaged 
in  the  steam  forwarding  business  between  Rondout  and  New 
York;  but  after  remaining  three  years  he  returned  to  Dela- 
ware county.  For  several  years,  also,  he  dealt  largely  in  butter 
for  the  New  York  markets.  In  the  intervals  of  business, 
Mr.  Griffin  was  a  hard  student,  spending  most  of  his  leisure 
in  a  determined  effort  to  master  a  knowledge  of  the  law. 
As  a  result  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  Albany,  in  1851, 


208  Life  Sketches, 

and  has  since,  besides  attending  to  his  mercantile  business, 
practiced  as  an  attorney  and  counselor  more  or  less  con- 
tinuously, and  with  a  good  degree  of  success.  He  is  now 
practicing  law,  devoting  a  portion  of  his  time  to  the  manage- 
ment of  his  fine  farm  near  Griffin's  corners,  Delaware  county. 

Mr.  Griffin's  probity  of  character  and  purity  of  life, 
together  with  the  warm  interest  he  ever  felt  in  the  welfare 
of  those  around  him,  made  him  very  popular  among  "  his 
townsmen,  and  he  has  been  frequently  called  upon  to  fill 
positions  of  trust.  Middletown,  in  which  he  has  lived  for 
fifty  years,  contains  a  Democratic  preponderance  of  from  one 
to  two  hundred.  He  has  been  elected,  however,  to  various 
local  offices,  and  was  justice  of  the  peace  several  years. 

In  his  political  connection,  Mr.  Griffin"  has  always  been 
either  Whig  or  Kepublican.  He  voted  for  Henry  Clay  for 
President  three  times,  and  for  Harrison  twice.  He  voted 
for  Taylor  in  1852,  and  for  Scott  iii  1856.  Since  that  time 
his  votes  and  influence  have  been  given  to  the  nominees  of 
the  Eepublican  party.  His  Assembly  district  is  quite  closely 
contested,  but  he  was  elected  in  the  fall  of  1871,  by  a 
majority  of  250,  and  in  1872,  he  exceeded  those  figures  by 
one  hundred  votes.  In  1873,  his  majority  over  Lemup:l 
Sines,  the  "  Bull-dog  "  of  Democracy  in  Delaware,  was  89, 
the  canvass  being  an  unusually  spirited  one. 

Of  his  course  in  the  Assembly,  it  is  sufficient  to  say  that 
he  has  fully  justified  the  confidence  of  those  who  elected 
him.  In  1873,  he  took  a  decided  interest  in  defeating  the 
bill  to  abolish  the  usury  laws,  and  the  bill  to  exempt  bonds 
and  mortgages  from  taxation.  He  is  a  good  speaker,  a  man 
of  strong  convictions  and  earnest  views,  and  has  regard  at 
all  times  to  what  is  for  the  best  interest  of  the  common- 
wealth. He  participates  frequently  and  ably  in  debate,  and 
being  active  and  energetic  in  the  performance  of  his  duty, 
he  may  fairly  be  regarded  as  among  the  most  efficient 
members  of  the  lower  House. 

Though  he  is  in  the  prime  of  life,  his  personal  aspect  is 


Emory  W.  Gurnee.  209 

quite  venerable,  his  tall  and  commanding  form  and  patri- 
archal beard  giving  him  a  dignity  which  comports  well  with 
a  demeanor  in  which  courtesy,  frankness  and  modesty  are 
the  chief  characteristics.  He  was  married  in  July,  18t33,  to 
Miss  Clara  Dodge,  by  whom  he  has  had  five  children,  two 
sons  and  three  daughters.  His  eldest  son  died  in  1872 ;  but 
the  rest  of  his  children  are  all  comfortably  settled  in  life. 
His  second  son  is  a  graduate  of  the  Albany  Law  school,  and 
is  now  practicing  with  very  fair  prospects. 


EMORY  W.  GURNEE. 


The  First  district  of  Wayne  county,  which  usually  gives 
a  Kepublican  majority  of  about  300,  is  represented  by  a 
Democrat  for  the  first  time  in  twenty  years.  Of  course 
local  influences  rather  than  Democratic  votes  contributed  to 
this  result,  but  the  high  character  of  the  man  who  has 
achieved  the  honor  had  not  a  little  to  do  with  it.  Mr. 
Gurnee  is  a  man  of  tlie  highest  standing  in  the  community, 
where  he  has  resided  for  the  past  ten  years,  and,  whether  he 
is  in  political  accord  with  the  district  or  not,  he  would  be 
incapable  of  misrepresenting  it  in  any  sense. 

Emory  W.  Gurxee  was  born  in  Sodus,  Wayne  county, 
February  2,  1843.  He  has,  therefore,  passed  his  thirty-first 
year.  His  paternal  ancestors  came  from  France.  Previous 
to  his  thirteenth  year,  he  attended  a  district  school,  after 
which  he  spent  four  years  in  Sodus  Academy,  and  two  years 
at  Eastman's  Business  College,  in  Poughkeepsie,  as  student 
and  instructor.  During  these  years,  however,  much  of  his 
time  was  spent  upon  his  father's  farm.  At  the  age  of  seven- 
teen, he  commenced  teaching  a  district  school,  and  during 
the  next  three  years  he  taught  in  several  schools  in  New 
York  and  Michigan.  His  education,  however,  well  fitted 
27 


210  Life  Sketches. 

him  for  commercial  pursuits,  and  tie  lost  no  time  in  availing 
himself  of  opportunities  in  that  direction.  As  a  result,  we 
find  him  to-day  a  prosperous  banker  in  the  village  of  Clyde, 
where  he  located  in  1864. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Guekee  has  always  been  a  Democrat. 
He  is  one  of  the  most  active  and  influential  members  of  his 
party  in  Wayne  county,  and,  notwithstanding  the  fact  that 
his  town  is  usually  opposed  to  him,  politically,  he  has 
frequently  held  elective  offices  of  trust.  In  1866,  he  was 
chosen  corporation  treasurer  of  the  village  of  Clyde,  and 
regularly  re-elected  each  year  for  six  years.  In  1869,  he  was 
elected  town  clerk  by  a  gratifying  majority,  and,  in  March, 
1873,  he  was  elected  supervisor  of  Galen  by  138  majority. 
I^st  fall  he  was  placed  in  nomination  for  the  Assembly 
against  John  E.  Hough,  the  regular  Kepublican  candidate, 
and  elected  by  a  majority  of  285,  the  Kepublican  majority 
in  1872  being  493. 

Mr.  GuRi^EE  is  a  consistent  member  of  the  Presbyterian 
church,  upright  and  honorable  in  all  his  dealings,  and  a 
man  of  sound  judgment  and  excellent  business  habits. 
While  he  is  not  to  be  classed  among  the  talking  members^ 
he  is  valuable  alike  in  counsel  and  in  active  work,  and 
will  undoubtedly  make  a  creditable  record.  He  is  a  mem.- 
ber  of  the  Committee  on  Banks. 


STEPHEN  H.  HAMMOND. 


Stephei^"  H.  Hammond  was  born  in  Groton,  Tompkins 
county,  N.  Y.,  on  the  24th  day  of  November,  1828.  His 
father,  Clark  Hammond,  came,  early  in  life,  from  Vermont, 
and  settled  in  Tompkins  county,  where  he  married  a  sister 
of  the  Hon.  E.  G.  Spaulding,  now  of  Buffalo,  N.  Y.,  and 
the  mother  of  the  subject  of  this  sketch.     The  first  part  of 


Stephen  H.  Hammond.  211 

Mr.  Hammond's  life  was  spent  at  Ithaca  in  attendance,  in 
due  time,  at  the  common  schools  and  at  the  Ithaca  Academy, 
with  the  usual  struggles  and  accompaniments  which  follow 
youth  in  humble  life.  He  acquired,  however,  quite  early, 
much  general  information,  from  books  and  otherwise,  outside 
of  the  routine  of  mere  school  life,  and  his  intelligence  and 
varied  and  extensive  reading,  soon  made  him  the  welcome 
companion  of  his  seniors — drawn  together  by  the  common  tie 
of  a  love  for  literature.  His  law  studies  were  commenced  at 
this  time,  and  progressed  with  a  good  degree  of  success.  His 
literary  attainments  were  abundantly  recognized,  and  when, 
at  the  age  of  twenty,  he  was  announced  to  lecture  in  the 
regular  winter  course  at  Ithaca,  the  large  hall,  on  the  even- 
ing appointed  for  the  lecture,  was  crowded  to  overflowing, 
and  hundreds  were  unable  to  gain  admittance.  This  success 
stimulated  him  to  make  the  effort  to  secure  a  more  complete 
education,  and  he  accordingly  prepared  for  college,  and  in 
September,  1850,  entered  as  a  student  at  Geneva  (now  Hobart) 
College,  from  which  he  graduated,  in  1854,  with  distinguished 
honor.  Mr.  Hammond  spent  a  portion  of  his  last  college 
year  in  the  State  Treasurer's  office,  his  uncle,  Hon.  E.  G. 
Spaulding,  being  then  Treasurer. 

In  the  mean  time,  Mr.  Hammond  had  been  admitted  to 
practice  in  all  the  courts,  and  in  January,  1856,  he  received 
the  appointment  of  Deputy  Attorney-General  of  the  State, 
which  office  he  held  continuously  for  sixteen  years,  under  all 
shades  of  party  administration,  thus  being  brought  into  inti- 
mate relations  with  prominent  public  men  and  affairs  during 
a  -very  memorable  period  of  the  history  of  the  State. 

Mr.  H.  married,  in  1856,  the  second  daughter  of  the  late 
Hon.  A.  W.  Langdon,  of  Geneva,  in  this  State,  where  he 
now  resides. 

Mr.  Hammond  was  selected  to  deliver  the  address  before 
the  Alumni  of  Hobart  College,  in  July,  1871,  and  acquitted 
himself  with  great  credit.  The  correspondent  of  the  New 
York  Tribune  thus  referred  to  the  oration  on  that  occasion : 


212  Life  Sketches, 

"  His  theme  may  be  designated  as  '  The  Philosophy  of  the 
Times/  It  was  an  exposition,  at  once  learned  and  popular, 
of  the  genius  and  characteristics  of  the  age.  He  signalized 
the  more  potent  forces  of  cotemporary  history,  indicated  the 
fundamental  distinctions  between  the  present  times  and  other 
times,  and  showed,  by  the  great  transforming  movements  in 
politics,  science,  industry,  society  and  war,  that  our  age,  from 
a  philosophical  point  of  view,  must  be  recognized  as  among 
the  wonderful  ages  of  the  world's  history.  About  one  half 
of  his  discourse  was  devoted  to  a  consideration  of  the  subject 
of  war  as  a  historical  phenomenon.  Here  his  knowledge  of 
history,  his  powers  of  description,  his  ability  in  generalization, 
had  full  scope.  He  concluded  by  showing  that,  though  the 
enthusiastic  hopes  of  philanthropists  had  not  been  realized; 
that  though  in  fact  the  last  twenty  years  had  been  one  of  the 
most  sanguinary  periods  of  history,  there  were  yet  the  pro- 
foundest  reasons  for  faith  in  the  approach  of  an  era  of  uni- 
versal peace.  His  delivery  was  admirable,  and  the  audience 
rewarded  him  by  its  attention  and  applause." 

Mr.  H.  is  serving  his  term  in  the  first  elective  political 
office  of  importance.  His  great  familiarity  with  public 
affairs,  in  consequence  of  his  connection  with  the  Attorney- 
GeneraFs  office  for  so  long  a  time,  gives  promise  of  great  use- 
fulness in  the  Assembly. 

He  is  serving  on  the  Judiciary  Committee,  and  also  on  the 
Committee  on  Public  Printing.  His  election  as  a  Democrat, 
by  around  majority,  from  a  district  usually  largely  Republi- 
can (Mr.  H.  being  the  third  only  in  a  quarter  of  a  century), 
is  an  indorsement  which  any  man  might  covet.  During  the 
session,  Mr.  Hammond  has  distinguished  himself  by  his 
advocacy  of  a  bill,  which  he  originated,  to  reform  abuses  in 
the  County  Treasurers'  offices,  and  to  simplify  the  mode  of 
paying  the  State  taxes.  He  has  also  initiated  several  bills 
designed  to  improve  the  practice  in  the  courts  of  the  State. 
He  is  one  of  the  most  active  and  valuable  members  of  the 
minority,  and  few  legislators  will  leave  Albany  at  the  close 
of  the  session  with  a  better  reputation  in  every  way.  In 
religion,  Mr.  H.  is  an  Episcopalian. 


Leonard  F.  Hardy.  213 


PATRICK  HANRAHAN. 


Patrick  Hanrahan,  who  represents  the  First  District  of 
Erie  county,  was  bom  in  county  Clare,  Ireland,  in  the  year 
1843.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  came  to  this 
country  at  an  early  age,  and  is  at  present  engaged  in  the 
grocery  business  in  Buffklo.  He  is  a  Roman  Catholic  in  re- 
ligious belief,  and  has  been  a  life-long  Democrat  and  quite 
active  in  the  local  politics  of  Buffalo,  though  he  never  before 
held  office.  He  was  chosen  to  the  Assembly  over  John 
O'Brian,  who  represented  the  district  last  year,  by  a  majority 
of  469,  and  is  a  member  of  the  Joint  Library  Committee  and 
Sub-committee  of  the  Whole. 


LEONARD  F.  HARDY. 


Very  few  districts  in  the  State  are  more  efficiently  repre- 
sented than  the  First  District  of  Cayuga,  which  sends  us  Mr. 
Hardy  for  the  second  time.  Mr.  Hardy  makes  no  great 
pretension  to  superior  gifts  as  a  legislator,  but  he  is  never- 
theless able  to  take  faithful  care  of  the  interests  of  his  con- 
stituents, without  losing  sight  of  what  is  for  the  welfare  of 
the  State  at  large.  He  does  not  make  many  set  speeches, 
but  he  never  fails  to  express  his  views  clearly  and  cogently, 
whenever  the  occasion  seems  to  him  to  demand  such  an  ex- 
pression. Always  in  attendance  at  the  sessions  of  the  House, 
as  well  as  at  the  sessions  of  his  committees,  he  keeps  himself 
fully  posted  in  reference  to  the  progress  of  legislation,  and 
aims  to  do  his  whole  duty  to  his  constituency  and  to  the 
State. 


214  Life  Sketches. 

Leonard  F.  Hardy  was  born  in  Westminster,  Vermont, 
in  August,  1827,  his  parents  removing  to  this  State  and  set- 
tling in  Cortland  county  when  he  was  quite  young.  He 
secured  a  thorough  education  in  Cortland  Academy  and  in 
the  State  Normal  School  at  Albany,  graduating  from  the 
latter  institution  in  1855.  He  adopted  teaching  as  a  pro- 
fession, and  was  for  eight  years  principal  of  the  Weedsport 
Union  School.  Subsequently  he  engaged  in  a  mercantile 
business  at  Weedsport,  which  he  still  continues  very  success- 
fully. He  held  the  position  of  School  Commissioner  from 
1867  to  1872,  but,  with  that  exception,  he  never  held  public 
office  until  his  election  to  the  Assembly  in  1872.  He  has 
been  a  Republican  since  the  organization  of  the  party,  and 
previous  to  that  was  a  Whig.  For  many  years  he  has  been 
active  in  the  local  politics  of  Cayuga  county,  and  his  popu- 
larity is  very  great,  as  is  fully  shown  by  the  vote  he  received 
in  1872  and  1873.  In  the  former  year  he  received  a  majority 
of  1,020,  a  gain  of  nearly  400  on  the  Assembly  vote  of  the 
previous  year.  Last  fall,  however,  in  spite  of  local  complica- 
tions and  an  unusually  light  vote,  his  majority  was  1,406, 
his  opponent  being  James  Kerr.  Not  many  members  of 
the  last  House  have  received  such  gratifying  endorsement  of 
their  course.  Mr.  Hardy,  however,  is  one  of  those  men 
against  whom  there  has  never  been  even  a  whisper  of  sus- 
picion, and  his  constituents  justly  repose  the  fullest  confi- 
dence in  his  integrity.  He  served  in  the  last  House  on  the 
Committees  on  Expenditures  of  the  House,  Public  Lands  and 
Engrossed  Bills.  In  the  present  Assembly,  he  is  Chairman 
of  Claims  and  member  of  Internal  Affairs. 


James  Hayes.  215 


JAMES  HAYES. 


Mr.  Hayes'  parents  were  born  in  Ireland  and  emigrated 
tx)  this  country  many  years  ago,  locating  in  New  York  city, 
where  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  on  the  11th  ol 
May,  1830.  Though  his  father's  family  were  in  humble  cir- 
cumstances, young  Hayes  managed  to  obtain  a  good  ordi- 
nary education  at  the  public  schools.  At  an  early  age  he 
entered  a  printing  office  and  learned  the  "  art  preservative." 
He  worked  at  the  press  several  years  after  attaining  his 
majority,  but  finally  abandoned  printing.  During  the  palmy 
days  of  the  Volunteer  Fire  Department,  Mr.  Hayes  was  an 
active  and  prominent  member  and  officer,  and  for  a  number 
of  years  he  was  honorably  identified  with  that  organization 
of  the  past.  From  a  very  early  age  Mr.  Hayes  has  mingled 
more  or  less  in  local  politics.  A  disciple  of  the  Tammany 
society  in  its  best  days,  he  is  still  a  trusted  member  of  that 
association  of  politicians,  and  one  of  the  most  influential 
Democrats  of  that  stripe  in  the  third  Assembly  district. 
The  extent  to  which  he  has  been  trusted  by  the  rank  and 
file,  as  well  as  by  the  leaders  of  the  party,  is  shown  by  the  fact 
that  he  was  a  member  of  the  New  York  Common  Council 
for  five  years  in  succession,  being  first  elected  in  the  spring 
of  1862.  In  1806  he  was  chosen  Supervisor  and  held  a  seat 
in  that  board  for  five  consecutive  years.  In  these  capacities 
he  has  shown  signal  ability,  not  so  much  in  speech-making, 
however,  as  in  managing  the  practical  details  of  local  legis- 
lation and  in  closely  watching  the  interests  of  his  constituents. 
In  1870  he  warmly  espoused  the  cause  of  the  Young 
Democracy.  His  temporary  defection  from  Tammany  Hall 
did  not  result  in  any  loss  of  popularity,  inasmuch  as  he  was 
elected  to  the  Assembly  in  the  fall  of  1871  by  a  very  decided 
majority.    His  services  as  a  State  legislator  were  so  satis- 


iil6  Life  Sketches. 

factory  to  his  constituents,  that  he  was  re-elected  in  1872 
and  again  in  1873  by  very  decided  majorities.  In  1872  he 
served  on  the  Committees  on  Trade  and  Manufactures,  and 
Indian  affairs.  In  1873  he  was  on  the  Committees  on  Expen- 
ditures of  the  House,  and  Public  Lands.  This  year  he  is  a 
member  of  the  Committee  on  Cities.  Mr.  Hayes  is  a  slimly- 
built,  dark-complexioned  man ;  his  countenance  indicates  a 
high  degree  of  intelligent  capacity  and  the  ability  to  appre- 
ciate the  requirements  of  any  situation.  He  is  a  married 
man,  and  a  member  of  the  Catholic  church. 


WILLIAM  C.  HAZLETON. 


The  Democratic  county  of  Seneca  is  represented  by  Wil- 
liam 0.  Hazleton",  of  Ovid,  one  of  the  finest  looking  men 
in  the  House.  He  was  born  at  Ulysses,  Tompkins  county, 
September  1,  1835,  his  father  being  a  respectable  and  pros- 
perous farmer.  He  received  a  good  common  school  and 
academic  education,  attending  school  pretty  regularly  until 
he  reached  his  majority.  Not  entertaining  a  very  strong  lik- 
ing for  an  agricultural  life,  he  determined  to  qualify  himself 
for  the  legal  profession,  and  to  that  end  studied  law  for  some 
time  with  Dana  &  Beers,  at  Ithaca.  His  success  was  such 
that  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1857,  and  since  then  he 
has  been  successfully  engaged  in  the  practice  of  his  profession 
at  Ovid. 

His  political  record  is  perfectly  straight,  never  having 
swerved  from  his  Democratic  allegiance.  Several  times  he 
has  been  honored  with  the  confidence  of  his  fellow  citizens, 
by  being  elected  to  offices  for  which  his  professional  duties 
naturally  fitted  him.  He  was  Justice  of  the  Peace  at  Ovid 
during  one  term,  and  during  two  four-year  terms,  from  1863 
to  1866,  and  from  1869  to  1872,  he  was  District  Attorney  of 


James  Healet.  217 

Seneca  county.  He  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  by  about 
the  average  Democratic  majority,  over  Isaac  N.  Johnson, 
Republican.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Committees  on  Canals 
and  Local  and  Special  Laws. 

Mr.  Hazleton  is  a  man  who  would  attract  attention  in 
any  assemblage.  Possessing  a  well-proportiotied  figure,  fine 
features  and  an  easy,  pleasing  address,  he  is  physically  well 
endowed,  and  his  white  hair,  which  he  keeps  closely  cut, 
gives  him  a  venerable  appearance  somewhat  beyond  his  years. 
He  is  evidently  unambitious  to  shine  as  an  orator,  though  he 
is  a  fair  speaker,  and  his  ability  in  this  regard  is  greatly 
enhanced  by  his  gifts  of  person.  He  prefers  to  perform  his 
duty  quietly  and  unostentatiously,  and  his  constituents  will 
probably  not  find  fault  with  him. 


JAMES  HEALEY. 


Mr.  Healey  is  a  representative  from  the  First  district  of 
New  York  city  for  the  third  successive  term.  He  is  a  quiet, 
unassuming  gentleman,  devoted  to  the  interests  of  his  con- 
stituents, unyielding  in  his  adherence  to  his  party,  but  at  the 
same  time  genial,  courteous  and  companionable  toward  both 
friends  and  opponents.  Though  he  lays  no  claim  to  oratorical 
ability,  he  understands  thoroughly  the  routine  as  well  as  the 
undercurrent  of  legislation. 

He  was  born  in  the  county  Clare,  Ireland,  in  the  year  1838, 
and  is  therefore  just  entering  upon  the  prime  of  manhood 
and  vigor,  and  undoubtedly  has  yet  a  brilliant  career  before 
him.  His  parents,  who  were,  respectable  people  of  moderate 
means,  emigrated  to  this  country  in  the  year  1850,  locating 
in  New  York  city.  Young  Healey  went  to  school  a  year  or 
two,  and  in  1852  entered,  as  an  errand  boy,  the  establishment 
of  Williamson,  Griffith  &  Co.,  extensive  sugar  refiners. 
28 


218  Life  Sketches, 

With  that  firm  he  has  remained  ever  since,  passing  through 
various  grades  of  responsibility,  and  the  thoroughness  and 
fidelity  with  which  he  has  always  performed  his  duties  have 
won  for  him  the  entire  confidence  and  regard  of  his 
employers. 

Mr.  Healey  early  took  an  active  interest  in  local  politics, 
identifying  himself  with  the  Tammany  wing  of  the  Democratic 
party  in  the  metropolis.  In  the  year  1868  he  was  elected  to 
the  Board  of  Assistant  Aldermen,  and  re-elected  in  1869 ;  but 
in  the  following  year  he  was  legislated  out  of  office.  He  was 
first  elected  to  the  Assembly  in  the  fall  of  1871,  when  he  ran 
against  the  regular  Tammany  candidate,  and  was  successful 
by  a  plurality  of  404.  During  the  ensuing  session  he  was  a 
member  of  the  Committees  on  Public  Health  and  Expendi- 
tures of  the  Executive  Department,  and  duriiig-that  session 
also  he  was  instrumental  in  securing  an  important  change 
in  the  street-cleaning  contract.  In  the  fall  of  1872  he 
received  the  regular  Tammany  nomination,  and  was  elected 
by  a  plurality  of  717.  In  the  session  of  1873  he  was  placed 
on  the  Committees  on  Federal  Eelations  and  Expenditures 
of  the  Executive  Department.  Though  a  minority  member, 
he  succeeded  in  making  a  good  record  last  year,  and  in  the 
fall  he  again  received  a  straight  Tammany  nomination,  run- 
ning against  Michael  W.  Burns,  Eepublican,  and  Dakiel 
Kekkedy,  Apollo  Hall.  He  seems,  in  this  canvass,  to  have 
taken  a  sudden  leap  into  popularity,  for  he  was  chosen  by  a 
plurality  of  1,510,  and  a  majority  over  both  opponents  of 
upward  of  500.  In  the  present  session  he  serves  on  the  Com- 
mittees on  Commerce  and  Navigation  and  State  Charitable 
Institutions,  and  it  is  to  be  said  of  him  that  he  performs  his 
duties  ably  and  industriously. 


John  Herrick.  819 


JOHN  HERRICK. 


Mr.  Herrick,  the  Member  from  Lewis  cdunty,  is  one  of 
those  members  who  performs  the  duties  of  legislation  quietly 
and  unobtrusively.  His  voice  is  rarely,  if  ever,  heard  in 
debate,  but  it  needs  no  second  glance  at  him,  as  he  sits  in 
his  seat,  to  be  assured  of  the  fact  that  he  evinces  keen  interest 
in  all  that  is  passing.  He  represents  a  district  which,  though 
quite  evenly  balanced  politically,  usually  sends  a  Kepublican 
representative  to  the  Assembly.  Mr.  Herrick,  however,  is 
a  well  known  businessman  of  that  section,  and  is  exceedingly 
popular,  which  probably  accounts  for  his  election. 

He  was  born  in  the  city  of  Schenectady  on  the  27th  of 
February,  1836.  His  early  youth  was  spent  in  the  ancient 
Dutch  city,  and  there  and  farther  up  the  MohawTc  valley 
most  of  his  relatives  reside.  He  received  a  good  common 
school  education,  and  while  still  a  youth,  located  in* the- 
thriving  village  of  Amsterdam,  where  he  became  engaged  in 
mercantile  business,  and  where,  in  July,  1860,  he  was  mar- 
ried. Soon  after  his  marriage  he  removed  to  New  Bremen, 
Lewis  county,  and  there  he  has  since  remained,  one  of  the 
most  prosperous  and  thriving  merchants  in  that  section. 

Mr.  Herrick  has  always  been  a  Democrat,  thoroughly 
attached  to  his  party,  and  invariably  active  in  the  work  of 
organizing  the  local  campaigns.  The  fact  that  for  eleven 
years  in  succession  he  has  been  elected  to  a  seat  in  the 
Board  of  Supervisors,  is  perhaps  as  good  an  illustration 
of  the  status  he  occupies  in  the  local  politics  of  his  county 
as  could  be  obtained.  In  that  local  legislative  body  he  has 
occupied  a  prominent  and  influential  position,  and  had 
opportunity  to  develop  precisely  those  qualities  which  are 
valuable  in  the  State  Legislature. 

Mr.  Herrick  is  a  stoutly  built,  medium  sized  man,  with 


220  Life  Sketches. 

dark  complexion  and  jet-black  hair  and  eyes.  As  we  have 
intimated  he  intelligently  appreciates  the  duties  of  his  posi- 
tion, and  will  undoubtely  leave  the  capitol  with  an  honorable 
record. 


JOHN  D.  HILLER. 


Mr.  HiLLER,  of  Chautauqua,  is  serving  his  second  term  as 
a  member  of  the  House.  He  is  a  fine  looking  man,  about 
forty  years  of  age,  with  dark  hair,  full  beard,  well-propor- 
tioned form,  and  frank,  expressive  features.  His  presence 
conveys  the  impression  to  those  who  know  him  for  the  first 
time  that  he  has  sui!icient  brains  and  capacity  for  almost  any 
position  in  life,  and  it  is  but  just  to  say  that  a  closer  acquaint- 
ance confirms  the  impression. 

He  was  born  at  Smith's  Mills,  Chautauqua  county,  where 
he  still  resides.  His  father,  Joh:n"  I.  Hiller,  was  a  native 
of  Schoharie  county,  but  removed  to  Chautauqua  county  in 
1828,  and  died  there  a  couple  of  years  ago,  at  the  ripe  age  of 
seventy.  Mr.  Hiller  laid  the  foundation  of  his  education 
in  the  common  schools,  spending,  however,  one  year  at  the 
Fredonia  Academy.  Subsequently  he  entered  the  State 
Normal  School  at  Albany,  and  after  accomplishing  the  entire 
course  at  that  institution,  graduated  with  credit  in  1855. 
Being  well  qualified  for  teaching  he  spent  one  year  in  charge 
of  a  department  in  Canandaigua  Academy,  and  also  taught 
two  years  in  the  district  schools  ;  but  teaching  was  not  pre- 
cisely to  his  taste  and  he  entered  mercantile  life.  Since  1858  he 
has  managed  a  country  store  at  Smith's  Mills  with  fair  success. 
In  1857  he  married  Libbie  M.  Smith,  a  daughter  of  Roditey 
M.  Smith,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  Chautauqua  count3% 

Mr.  Hiller  held  the  office  of  Clerk  of  the  town  of  Han- 
over during  the  years  1864  and  1865,  and  in  1868  and  1869 
he  served  in  the  Chautauqua  Board  of  Supervisors.    While 


John  B,  Hoao.  221 

the  rebellion  raged  in  the  South,  he  warmly  sympathized  with 
the  cause  of  the  Union,  and  though  not  himself  liable  to 
military  duty,  he  furnished  a  representative  recruit  at  a  time 
when  men  were  greatly  needed.  He  has  been  a  Republican 
since  the  formation  of  the  party,  and  has  always  taken  an 
active  interest  in  the  political  movements  of  the  day.  Though 
not  a  strict  churchman,  Mr.  Hiller  is  a  man  of  correct  life, 
large  heart  and  generous  impulses,  and  thoroughly  in  earnest. 
His  convictions  are  deeply-rooted  and  decided,  and  his  influ- 
ence and  votes  are  invariably  on  the  side  of  right  and  justice. 
He  has  developed  no  especial  penchant  for  oratory  on  the 
floor  of  the  Assembly,  but  he  is  able  to  talk  and  to  talk  well 
when  the  occasion  arises. 

He  served  his  constituents  very  faithfully  last  year  as  a 
member  of  the  Committees  on  Roads  and  Bridges,  and  En- 
grossed Bills,  This  year  he  is  Chairman  of  Roads  and 
Bridges  and  member  of  Indian  Affairs. 


JOHNB.  HO  AG. 


John  B.  Hoao,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  was  born  June 
4,  1830,  in  the'  town  of  Root,  Montgomery  county.  His 
paternal  ancestors  were  of  Quaker  descent.  His  father,  Enoch 
J.  HoAG,  now  deceased,  was  modeled  after  the  old  Quaker 
stamp,  a  man  of  the  strictest  integrity,  and,  though  moving 
in  the  quiet  routine  of  a  practical  farm  life,  he  has  won,  by 
his  genial  nature  and  honesty  of  purpose,  many  warm  and 
influential  friends.  He  received  no  more  than  an  ordinary 
common  school  education,  but  he  possesses  much  native 
common  sense  and  shrewdness,  and  is,  withal,  a  keen  observer. 
He  is  therefore  well  informed  upon  all  subjects,  and  is  a  sub- 
stantial farmer,  and  upright,  reliable  citizen.  Widely  known 
in  Schoharie  county,  he  enjoys  the  fullest  confidence  and 


222  Life  Sketches, 

respect  of  his  fellow  citizens.  He  has  always  been  a  firm 
Democrat  and  active  in  political  affairs  since  early  youth. 
Kesiding  in  a  district  in  which  his  party  is  generally  in  the 
majority,  he  has  frequently  been  selected  to  fill  public  posi- 
tions of  trust  and  responsibility.  In  1869  he  was  elected 
Supervisor,  and  re-elected  in  1870.  Next  year  he  was  chosen 
Town  Clerk  and  served  two  years.  He  has  also  filled  the 
offices  of  Justice  of  the  Peace  and  Eailroad  Commissioner 
with  ability  and  discretion,  and  on  every  occasion  when  he 
has  placed  himself  before  the  people,  he  has  been  elected  by 
decided  majorities.  Last  fall  the  people  determined  to  send 
him  to  the  Assembly,  and  they  gave  him  a  majority  of  154, 
which  we  believe,  is  above  the  usual  Democratic  preponder- 
ance in  Schoharie  county.  Mr.  Hoag's  course  in  the  Assem- 
bly, thus  far,  is  an  indication  that  the  confidence  of  his  con- 
stituents is  not  misplaced.  He  guards  their  interests  closely, 
and  though  he  is  not  known  as  one  of  the  talkers  of  the 
House,  he  is  unmistakably  a  worker. 


AUSTIN  W.  HOLDEK 


We  find  so  excellent  a  sketch  of  Dr.  Holden"  in  '^Cleave's 
Biographical  Cyclopedia  of  Homoeopathic  Physicians  and 
Surgeons,"  published  in  Philadelphia  last  year,  that  we  ven- 
ture to  reproduce  it  entire,  as  follows: 

"Austin"  Wells  Holder?",  of  Glens  Falls,  was  born  at  White 
Creek,  Washington  county,  in  the  same  State,  on  May  16, 
1819.  He  is  the  son  of  Joj^as  and  Elizabeth  Holden^, 
both  of  Barre,  Worcester  county,  Mass.,  and  lineal  descendants 
of  KiCHARD  HoLDEif,  who  with  his  brother,  JuSTiNiAi^", 
embarked  at  Ipswich,  England,  for  America,  in  April,  1634, 
in  the  ship  *  Francis.'  His  paternal  grandfather  was  engaged 
as  a  private  in  the  battle  of  Bunker  Hill. 


Austin  TT.  Hold  en. 

"He  was  educated  at  St.  Lawrence  Academy,  Potsdam, 
N.  Y. ;  commenced  the  study  of  law  at  Glens  Falls  in  1836, 
but,  being  poor,  was  obliged  to  abandon  the  pursuit.  From 
the  age  of  sixteen  to  twenty-two  he  learned  and  worked  at 
the  trade  of  cabinet- making.  Failing  health,  however,  ren- 
dered it  imperative  that  he  should  seek  some  other  avocation. 
Accordingly  he  commenced  teaching  school  and  studying 
medicine  at  the  same  time,  in  the  winter  of  1843.  He  con- 
tinued that  course  for  two  years  almost  uninterruptedly,  and 
in  the  winter  of  1844  he  attended  his  first  course  of  lectures. 
The  following  season  he  was  appointed  County  Superintend- 
ent of  Common  Schools,  and  served  with  credit  a  term  of  two 
years,  applying  every  leisure  moment  to  the  prosecution  of 
his  medical  studies.  He  graduated  with  distinction  from  the 
Albany  Medical  College  in  January  1848. 

"  Dr.  HoLDEN  commenced  practice  in  the  *  old  school,'  at 
the  village  of  Warrensburgh,  Warren  county,  N.  Y.,  in  the 
spring  following  his  graduation.  He  continued  there  for 
four  years,  and  then  removed  to  Glens  Falls,  where,  in  1857, 
he  was  induced  to  make  a  trial  of  homoeopathy,  and  with 
such  eminently  satisfactory  results  that  he  soon  became  a 
convert  to  its  principles,  and  gradually  introduced  the  prac- 
tice among  his  patrons. 

"  With  the  outbreak  of  the  rebellion,  Dr.  Holden,  stirred 
by  the  patriotic  impulse  that  aroused  the  North,  raised  a 
company  of  volunteers,  of  which  he  was  commissioned  a 
captain,  and  the  company,  with  another  raised  in  the  same 
village,  was  incorporated  into  the  22d  Regiment  New  York 
Volunteers.  Afterward  it  formed  a  part  of  the  justly  famed 
*  Iron  Brigade,'  whose  fearful  losses  at  the  Second  Bull  Run, 
South  Mountain,  Antietam  and  Fredericksburgh,  warranted 
its  well-earned  name.  In  August,  1862,  at  the  special  desire 
of  many  officers  of  his  regiment.  Dr.  Holden  was  transferred 
to  the  Medical  Staff,  which  relation  was  maintained  Avith 
general  satisfaction  until  the  regiment  was  mustered  out  of 
the  service  in  1863,  its  term  of  service  having  expired. 
Within  less  than  six  weeks  he  re-entered  the  army  as  Acting 
Assistant  Surgeon  United  States  Army,  in  which  capacity  he 
performed  active  duty  until  Lee's  surrender,  being  stationed 
consecutively  in  the  United  States  General  Hospitals  at  Fred- 
erick City,  Cumberland,  Md.,  and  Troy,  N.  Y. 

"  On  finally  quitting  the  army.  Dr.  Holdei?'  returned  to 
Glens  Falls,  entered  again  upon  the  practice  of  homoeopathy, 
and  has  continued  in  the  same  up  to  the  present  time.     Great 


224  Life  Sketches. 

and  well-deserved  success  has  followed  his  efforts  on  behalf  of 
the  sick  and  suffering. 

"  In  1869,  he  was  made  a  permanent  member  of  the  New 
York  State  Homoeopathic  Society,  and  in  1871,  was  elected 
one  of  the  Vice-Presidents  of  the  same.  For  a  number  of 
years  he  has  been  Secretary  to  the  Northern  New  York 
Homceopathic  Medical  Society.  He  was  Examining  Surgeon 
for  the  Pension  Bureau  for  three  years,  but,  with  others,  was 
dismissed  because  of  his  being  a  homoeopathist. 

"Among  the  recreations  of  Dr.  Holden^'s  life,  literary  and 
historical  studies  have  occupied  a  prominent  place,  much  of 
his  leisure  being  devoted  thereto.  At  this  writing  he  has 
nearly  ready  for  the  press  an  elaborate  history  of  the  town  in 
which  he  resides.  He  has  for  many  years  been  a  correspond- 
ent for  the  press,  and  his  abilities  and  acquirements  have 
been  recognized  by  his  appointment  as  honorary  and  corre- 
sponding member  of  several  learned  societies. " 

In  addition  to  the  above  facts,  it  should  be  stated  that  Dr. 
HoLDEN"  was  married  on  the  24th  of  April,  1851,  to  Eliza- 
beth BuELL,  daughter  of  the  late  Hon.  Hokatio  Buell, 
and  sister  of  James  Buell,  President  of  the  Importers  and 
Traders'  Bank  of  New  York.  In  politics  he  has  always  been 
a  Democrat,  but  never  an  extremist  of  that  faith.  He  is 
strongly  committed  to  radical  temperance  measures  and  tem- 
perance reform  ;  and  to  that  fact,  and  the  further  fact  that 
he  is  an  old  and  respected  citizen  of  Warren  county,  and  one 
whose  integrity  and  ability  are  beyond  question,  is  doubtless 
due  his  election  in  a  county  largely  Eepublican.  Certainly, 
no  other  man  is  better  acquainted  with  the  history,  the 
resources,  the  wants  and  the  interests  of  Warren  county 
than  he.  He  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  62  over  Joseph 
Woodward,  the  Republican  candidate.  In  1872,  the  Repub- 
lican ticket  received  a  majority  of  1,000.  After  the  election, 
the  Glens  Falls  Messenger  (Republican)  said  of  him : 

"  Dr.  HoLDEiir  is  an  active  temperance  man,  of  extensive 
knowledge,  well  versed  in  the  history  of  this  section,  and  we 
think  he  will  take  pride  in  working  for  the  best  interests  of 
this  county  in  the  Legislature.  He  is  a  much  better  man, 
personally,  than  is  usually  found  in  the  Assembly,  and  we 


Charles  F.  Houghton.  225 

hope  he  is  not  so  tainted  with  Democracy  as  to  be  caught  in 
any  "  ring  "  measure." 

Dr.  HoLDEif  has  been  a  communicant  of  the  Episcopal 
Church  since  1841.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  Diocesan  Con- 
vention which  elected  Bishop  Horatio  Potter,  and  was 
for  many  years  a  Warden  in  the  parish  where  he  resides. 
Being  a  gentleman  of  culture  and  enlarged  views,  Dr. 
HoLDEN"  is,  in  all  respects,  an  amiable  and  accomplished  gen- 
tleman, and  his  constituency  has  honored  itself  by  sending 
him  to  the  Assembly. 


CHARLES  F.  HOUGHTOK 


Mr.  Houghton  represents  the  Second  district  of  Steuben 
county.  He  is  a  young  man  of  culture  and  high  character, 
and  being  a  successful  manufacturer,  he  is  in  full  sympathy 
with  the  industrial  interests  of  the  State.  Though  a  quiet 
and  unobtrusive  member,  he  ably  represents  one  of  the  best 
sections  of  the  State  in  the  present  Legislature. 

Charles  Frederick  Houghton  was  born  in  Cambridge, 
Mass.,  May  31,  1846.  He  is  therefore  to  be  classed  among 
the  younger  members.  He  was  educated  in  the  public 
P'^hools  at  Cpmbridge,  ^fass.,  and  at  the  academy  at  Filing- 
ton,  Conn.,  where  he  underwent  a  preparatory  course  with 
a  view  of  entering  college.  He  did  not  go  to  college,  how- 
ever, but  instead  he  turned  his  attention  to  manufacturing, 
and  is  now  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  glass  at  Corning. 

Mr.  Houghton's  life  has  thus  far  been  uneventful.  He 
has  always,  since  -he  reached  a  voting  age,  been  an  active 
Republican,  but  he  never  before  held  office.  The  nomina- 
tion for  the  Assembly  was  unsought  on  his  part,  but  he 
accepted  the  trust  with  a  determination  to  do  his  whole  duty 
by  his  constituents.    He  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  278, 


226  Life  Sketches, 

his  opponent  being  Abeam  Dudley,  a  well  known  and 
exceedingly  popular  Democrat.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Committees  on  Villages,  Petitions  of  Aliens  and  Public 
Lands. 


EEASTUS  H.  HUSSEY. 


Mr.  HusSEY  is  a  native  and  life-long  resident  of  the  town 
of  Ledyard,  Cayuga  county,  and  owns  a  fine  farm  near  the 
village  of  Aurora.  He  was  born  January  19,  1827,  and 
though  he  has  thus  reached  his  forty-seventh  year,  he  has 
never  married.  He  has  been  a  farmer  since  boyhood,  and 
during  his  early  years  was  fortunate  enough  to  secure  a  good 
common  school  and  academic  education.  Being  also  a 
good  reader  and  keen  observer,  he  is,  in  addition  to  being  a 
persistent  and  hard-working  agriculturist,  a  gentleman  of 
considerable  culture,  and  well  posted  upon  public  affairs. 
He  is  also  a  man  of  sound  judgment  and  unusually  sensible 
views  upon  all  questions,  and  few  men  in  his  locality  are 
more  highly  esteemed.  The  confidence  felt  in  him  by  the 
community  is  perhaps  sufficiently  indicated  by  the  fact  that 
he  has  been  regularly  elected  a  member  of  the  board  of 
supervisors  since  the  year  1867.  He  was  elected  to  the 
Assembly  last  fall  by  a  majority  of  1,292,  though  two  candi- 
dates ran  against  him,  Effingham  T.  Buowis',  Democrat, 
and  Wm.  H.  Man'Chester,  Temperance.  The  vote  was  an 
extraordinarily  light  one,  and,  under  the  circumstances,  the 
large  majority  he  received  was  exceedingly  gratifying.  He 
is  to  be  ranked  rather  among  the  workers  than  among  the 
talkers  of  the  Assembly,  and  serves  acceptably  upon  the  Com- 
mittees on  Villages,  and  Trade  and  Manufactures. 

Mr.  HussEY  has  been  uniformly  successful  in  his  farming 
operations,  and  is  therefore  in  comfortable  circumstances. 
The  fact  that  he  is  a  member  of  the  Society  of  Friends,  and 


WiLLARD  Johnson.  227 

endeavors  conscientiously  to  square  his  life  in  accordance 
with  the  precepts  of  that  sect,  is,  perhaps,  a  sufficient  indica- 
tion of  his  personal  character. 


WILLARD  JOHNSON. 


Mr.  Johnson  is  of  New  England  parentage,  his  father, 
Lowell  Johnson,  having  been  a  native  of  Vermont,  while 
his  mother  was  born  in  Massachusetts.  He  was  born  in  the 
town  of  Volney,  Oswego  county,  on  the  16th  of  May,  1820. 
He  attended  common  school  at  an  early  age,  and  subse- 
quently attended  the  Mexico  and  Cazenovia  academies,  thus 
securing  an  excellent  education.  In  the  year  1852,  he 
engaged  in  the  lake  and  canal  transportation  business  at 
Fulton,  and  continued  it  successfully  for  about  twelve  years. 
Afterward  he  became  a  contractor  and  has  completed  several 
important  works  for  the  State  and  national  governments, 
among  which  may  be  mentioned  the  improvement  of  the 
Mississippi  river  at  Rock  Island,  and  the  construction  of  a 
lock  in  the  Illinois  river,  which  is  probably  the  largest  in  the 
world,  being  350  feet  long,  75  feet  wide,  and  30  feet  high, 
and  capable  of  accommodating  twelve  ordinary  canal  boats 
at  once.  He  has  successfully  completed  contracts  which 
amount,  in  the  aggregate,  to  several  millions  of  dollars. 

Mr.  Johnson  has  always  been  a  Democrat  of  the  old 
school,  and  for  many  years  he  has  been  prominent  in  the 
councils  of  that  party.  During  the  rebellion  he  was  classed 
as  a  War  Democrat,  and  gave  his  influence  and  means  freely 
to  the  cause  of  the  Union.  In  1862  he  was  elected  to  the 
Assembly  without  opposition,  and  co-operated  heartily  in  all 
the  measures  designed  to  sustain  the  national  government  in 
the  contest  which  was  then  raging  against  armed  treason. 
Subsequently  he  served  two  years  on  the  War  Committee  of 
Oswego  county.     He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Board  of 


228  Life  Sketches, 

Supervisors  in  the  years  1861  and  1862.  In  1860  he  was  a 
delegate  to  the  memorable  Charleston  Convention,  and  was 
afterward  also  a  delegate  to  the  National  Democratic  Con- 
ventions at  Chicago  in  1864,  in  New  York  in  1868,  and  in 
Baltimore  in  1872.  During  the  five  war  years,  he  was  a 
member  of  the  State  Committee.  It  will  thus  be  seen  that 
Mr.  Johnson's  political  experience  is  extensive  and  varied, 
and  there  are  really  few  men  in  Central  New  York  whose 
counsel  is  held  in  greater  estimation.  He  still  holds  to  the 
political  creed  of  his  earlier  years,  and  is  very  popular  among 
the  Democrats  of  Oswego,  and,  indeed,  among  men  of  all 
parties.  This  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  he  was  elected  in 
1872  by  a  majority  of  189,  over  Thomas  W.  Green,  Repub- 
lican, who  represented  the  district  the  previous  year,  and 
re-elected  last  fall  by  the  handsome  majority  of  747,  Charles 
D.  Walkup  being  his  opponent.  Last  year  he  served  on  the 
Committees  on  Roads  and  Bridges,  Internal  Affairs  and 
Militia,  and  this  year  he  is  on  Commerce  and  Navigation 
and  Internal  Affairs.  He  is  a  man  of  modest,  unassuming 
deportment,  and  seldom  addresses  the  House,  being  a  man 
who  believes  in  actions  rather  than  words.  His  large  expe- 
rience, ripe  judgment  and  active  mind  are  of  great  value, 
however,  in  the  practical  work  of  legislation.  He  was  mar- 
ried at  the  age  of  27  to  Mary  Gaspe,  and  as  a  result  of 
his  prudently  managed  business  operations  he  is  quite  wealthy. 


GRIFFITH  O.  JONES 


Mr.  Jones  is  of  Welsh  descent  on  both  sides.  His  father 
emigrated  from  Wales  in  1815,  and  his  mother-  coming  to 
this  country  a  year  later,  they  were  married  in  1817,  settling 
upon  a  farm  in  Oneida  county.  His  mother  died  in  1823, 
but  his  father  lived  until  1869.  The  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  born  in  the  town  of  Steuben,  Oneida  county,  May  25, 


William  P.  Eire.  229 

1818,  and  received  a  fair  education  in  the  common  schools. 
In  May,  1846,  he  was  married  to  an  estimable  lady  in  Rem- 
sen,  and  the  same  year  he  engaged  in  the  tanning  business 
in  the  town  of  Russia,  Herkimer  county.  This  he  followed 
with  good  success  until  1860,  since  which  time  he  has  been 
engaged  in  farming  in  Oneida  county. 

Mr.  Jones  acted  with  the  Democratic  party  previous  to 
1866,  but  has  since  been  a  Republican,  and  is  not  only  well 
known  throughout  Oneida  and  Herkimer,  but  possesses  con- 
siderable influence.  He  has  filled  the  office  of  Justice  of  the 
Peace  in  both  counties,  having  been  elected  in  the  town  of 
Russia  m  1851,  1855  and  1859,  and  also  in  the  town  of 
Floyd  m  1872.  His  opponent  in  the  Assembly  canvass  last 
fall  was  John"  M.  Whipple,  and  he  was  elected,  after  a 
pretty  sharp  canvass,  by  a  majority  of  635. 

Plain  and  unpretending  in  personal  appearance,  and 
totally  devoid  of  any  desire  for  notoriety,  Mr.  Jones  is  a 
man  of  strict  integrity  and  great  practical  ability.  He  is 
faithful  in  his  attendance  upon  legislative  duties,  and  his 
moral  character  is  above  reproach.  For  many  years  he  has 
been  a  consistent  member  of  the  Congregational  denomina- 
tion, and  he  aims  to  be  just  in  every  relation  of  life. 


WILLIAM  P.  KIRK. 


Mr.  Kirk,  the  representative  of  the  Second  New  York 
district,  is  a  man  about  whom  there  is  no  nonsense  in  any 
respect.  He  is  a  plain  matter-of-fact  gentleman,  well  posted 
in  most  matters  demanding  the  attention  of  the  Legislature, 
and  performs  the  duties  which  devolve  upon  him  quietly  and 
unassumingly.  He  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York  on 
the  11th  of  August,  1833.  His  father  and  mother  were  both 
born  in  Ireland,  though  they  were  married  in  New  York  city, 
having  emigrated  at  an  early  age.  The  father  is  a  carpenter, 
and  is  still  living  in  New  York  city  at  the  age  of  seventy- 
four  years.    The  subject  of  our  sketch  was  educated  in  the 


230  Life  Sketches. 

common  schools  of  New  York  city,  and,  at  the  proper  age, 
was  apprenticed  to  a  sawsmith.  He  followed  this  occupa- 
tion a  number  of  years,  but  he  finally  became  a  wine  mer- 
chant, and  is  successfully  engaged  in  that  business  at 
present.  He  was  married,  about  eighteen  years  ago,  to  Miss 
Ann'A  L.  Quinn,  of  New  York  city.  He  has  always  acted 
with  the  Tammany  wing  of  the  Democracy,  and,  being  a 
life-long  resident  of  New  York  city,  he  is  well  known  in 
political  circles.  He  was  a  Member  of  the  Assembly  of 
1864,  to  which  he  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  800.  Last 
fall  his  majority  was  673,  his  opponent  being  Thomas  Wild, 
a  popular  Republican.  Aside  from  his  legislative  positions, 
he  has  never  held  any  very  prominent  public  office,  prefer- 
ring rather  to  do  effective  work  in  the  ranks  of  his  party. 
He  is  a  Roman  Catholic,  and,  being  a  man  of  fine  traits  of 
character,  he  is  greatly  esteemed  by  his  associates  of  the  New 
York  delegation. 


WILLIAM  R.  KNAPP. 


Mr.  Knapp  will  doubtless  be  remembered  by  old  habitues 
of^the  Capitol  as  the  member  from  Rockland  county  in  1860. 
In  that  year  he  made  an  excellent  legislative  record,  and 
Rockland  honors  herself  by  again  electing  him  as  her  repre- 
sentative at  Albany.  He  is  the  son  of  Col.  Robert  Knapp, 
a  native  of  Haverstraw,  a  veteran  of  the  war  of  1812,  and  a 
well  known  Rockland  county  farmer  and  officer  of  militia. 
His  grandfather,  Lebeus  Kn"APP,  served  in  the  revolutionary 
army  under  Gen.  Washingtoi^,  and  drew  a  pension  up  to 
the  time  of  his  death. 

William  R.  Kkapp  was  born  in  Haverstraw  on  the  27th 
of  April,  1819,  and  is  therefore  now  pretty  well  advanced  in 
years.  He  received  his  education  in  common  schools,  secur- 
ing about  the  average  amount  of  learning  imparted  to  the 
youth  of  that  day.    At  the  age  of  fourteen  he  left  the  farm 


William  R  Knapp,  231 

and  entered  the  wholesale  and  retail  store  of  Brewster  & 
GuRNEEas  clerk,  and  faithfully  discharged  the  duties  of  that 
position  for  four  years.  He  then  went  into  business  for  him- 
self, and  by  prudence  and  good  management  he  has  built  up 
a  large  trade,  being  interested  in  several  vessels  on  the  North 
River.  In  1843  he  was  married  to  Charlotte  Rose,  at 
Ilaverstraw.  They  have  one  child.  Since  1845  he  has  manu- 
factured brick  extensively,  and  the  firm  of  W.  R.  Kn^app, 
Son  &  Co.  has  probably  sold  more  brick  in  New  York  city 
than  any  other  house  in  the  State.  As  the  result  of  his  oper- 
ations Mr.  Knapp  is  quite  wealthy,  owning  good  real  estate 
in  New  York  city  and  a  beautiful  residence  at  Stony  Point 
on  the  bank  of  the  Hudson. 

Mr.  Knapp  is  a  Democratic  Liberal  in  a  stricter  sense  than 
is  usually  implied  by  that  appelation.  He  has  always  acted 
with  the  Democratic  party,  however,  and  enjoys  in  large 
measure  the  confidence  of  the  Democrats  of  Rockland  county. 
While  he  is  more  of  a  business  man  than  a  politician,  he  never- 
theless finds  time  to  keep  close  watch  of  passing  political 
movements,  and  to  occasionally  take  an  active  part.  For  three 
years  previous  to  1860  he  represented  his  town  in  the  board 
of  Supervisors.  In  that  year  he  was  elected  to  the  Assembly 
by  800  majority  over  Edwin  Marks.  Since  then  until  his 
election  last  fall  he  has  kept  aloof  from  official  position, 
though  he  has  at  different  times  been  a  delegate  to  Demo- 
cratic State  Conventions.  In  the  late  canvass  he  was 
opposed  by  Isaac  M.  Dederer,  an  influential  Republican, 
and  was  successful  by  a  majority  of  GIO,  a  handsome  gain 
over  the  majority  given  the  Democratic  member  elected  in 
1872.    He  is  a  member  of  the  Committee  on  Insurance. 

Mr.  Knapp  is  in  all  respects  a  thorough  business  man,  and 
entertaining  as  he  does,  liberal  and  enlarged  views  upon 
every  question,  he  is  the  best  sort  of  material  of  which  to 
make  legislatures.  His  record  in  the  present  House  cannot 
be  otherwise  than  unexceptionable.  He  is  a  member  of  the 
Methodist  Episcopal  church  at  Haverstraw. 


832  Life  Sketches. 


LEOPOLD  C.  G.   KSHINKA. 


Mr.  KsHiis'KA  is  in  every  sense  a  self-made  man.  He 
occupies  a  high  position  in  the  bar  of  Albany  county,  solely 
as  the  result  of  his  own  exertions  and  persistent  unwearied 
industry.  He  is  still  a  young  man,  and  has,  perhaps,  the 
most  brilliant  portion  of  his  career  yet  before  him ;  but  his 
decided  ability  and  fine,  natural  powers,  lead  us  to  believe 
that  he  will  fully  realize  the  anticipations  of  those  who 
know  him  best.  He  was  born  in  Zerkwitz,  province  of 
Brandenburg,  Prussia,  June  9,  1835.  His  parents, 
Mathaus  K.  and  Wilhelmina  Kshikka,  emigrated  to 
this  country  in  1850,  and  are  still  living  on  a  farm  in  Brad- 
ford county.  Pa.  His  father  is  finely  educated,  and  for 
thirty  years  was  an  instructor  in  the  provincial  schools  of 
Prussia,  under  a  system  which,  in  some  respects,  is  probably 
the  best  in  the  world.  He  also  took  a  leading  part  in  the 
Revolution  of  1848,  and  was  chosen  a  Federal  and  State 
elector  by  the  Liberal  party. 

The  subject  of  our  sketch  received  his  early  education  in 
the  Prussian  common  schools.  During  the  years  1861  and 
1862,  he  attended  Fort  Edward  Institute,  and  in  1867,  he 
graduated  from  the  Albany  Law  School,  being  soon  after 
admitted  to  the  bar.  Since  then,  he  has  been  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  his  chosen  profession  in  the  city  of  Albany,  with 
a  good  and  steadily  increasing  practice. 

Upon  reaching  his  majority,  Mr.  Kshi^stka  identified 
himself  with  the  Democratic  party,  and  has  since  been  stead- 
fast in  his  allegiance;  but  while  he  maintains  his  party 
fealty,  his  views  in  reference  to  all  public  questions  are 
liberal  and  progressive,  and  he  never  permits  partizan  consid- 
erations to  blind  his  sense  of  right  and  duty.  He  has  had 
what  may  be  deemed  a  preliminary  legislative  experience  in 
the  Board  of  Supervisors  of  Albany  county,  having  been  a 


Jerome  B.  LAyDFiELD.  333 

member  of  that  body  since  the  spring  of  1872,  representing 
the  10th  ward  of  Albany  city.  Since  he  commenced  his 
public  career,  the  expressions  of  popular  regard  for  him  hare 
been  exceedingly  gratifying.  In  1872,  when  he  was  first 
chosen  Supervisor,  he  ran  largely  ahead  of  his  ticket,  and  in 
the  spring  of  1873,  when  he  was  re-elected,  he  carried  his 
ward  by  a  respectable  majority,  though  it  went  Republican 
at  the  previous  fall  election.  Last  fall  he  was  elected  Mem- 
ber of  Assembly  from  a  district  (the  Second),  which  had 
elected  Republican  members  for  three  successive  years,  by 
majorities  ranging  from  193  to  464.  His  majority  over 
Richard  B.  Rock,  Republican,  was  stated  in  the  official 
canvass  at  444,  but  it  was  really  553,  the  vote  of  the  western 
district  of  the  Tenth  ward  having  been  omitted  through  a 
clerical  error.  The  district,  on  a  square  party  vote,  is 
Democratic,  and  Mr.  Kshinka  enjoys  the  honor  of  having 
reclaimed  it  from  the  enemy.  He  has  proved  himself  a  very 
active  member  of  the  Legislature,  especially  in  looking  after 
the  interests  of  the  city  of  Albany. 

He  was  married  August  18th,  1869,  at  Corinth,  Saratoga 
coQuty,  to  Maggie  N.  Early,  daughter  of  Elijah  Early, 
Esq.  He  was  brought  up  in  the  Evangelical  faith,  and  is  a 
man  of  deep  convictions  and  high  moral  purpose. 


JEROME  B.  LANDFIELD. 


Mr.  Landfield*s  father,  Clark  Laitdfield,  was  born  in 
the  town  of  Harvard,  Delaware  county,  and  there,  also,  the 
son  first  saw  the  light,  in  November,  1827.  He  was  educated 
at  Delhi  Academy,  and  also  in  the  Delaware  Institute,  at 
Eranklin,  and  on  reaching  years  of  maturity,  he  entered  a 
mercantile  business  at  Harvard.  Several  years  since  he  re- 
moved to  Newark  Valley,  where  he  is  now  successfully 
30 


234  Life  Sketches, 

engaged  in  mercantile  pursuits,  managing,  besides,  an  exten- 
sive tannery.  He  is  also  postmaster  of  that  town,  and  for  a 
year  or  two  was  a  member  of  the  Tioga  Board  of  Supervisors. 

In  1864,  he  represented  Delaware  county  in  the  Assembly, 
serving  on  the  Committee  on  Affairs  of  Villages,  and  making 
a  creditable  record.  He  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  from 
Tioga  county  in  1872,  by  a  majority  of  711,  and  served 
acceptably  on  the  Committees  on  Eailroads,  and  Trade  and 
Manufactures.  Last  fall  he  was  re-elected  by  a  majority  of 
608  over  Isaac  S.  Stan^clift,  Democrat.  He  is  now  a  member 
of  the  important  Committees  on  Eailroads,  Trade  and  Manu- 
factures and  State  prisons.  His  voice  is  not  frequently  heard 
in  debate,  but  he  is  a  hard  worker,  and  hence  he  renders  in- 
valuable aid  in  the  important  details  of  legislation. 

Mr.  Landfield  was  a  Whig  until  the  party  dissolved,  and 
since  then  he  has  been  an  unyielding  Republican.  He  is  a 
man  of  great  probity  of  character,  and  much  respected  in 
Newark  Valley,  where  he  resides. 


ALEXANDER  B.  LAW. 


The  gentleman  whose  name  heads  this  article  is  a  plain, 
honest  and  substantial  farmer,  and  ranks,  in  age,  among  the 
oldest  men  of  the  House.  He  was  born  in  Salem,  Washington 
county  in  October,  1809.  His  grandfather  and  father  emi- 
grated from  the  north  of  Ireland  in  the  year  1769,  and  set- 
tled in  what  was  then  the  town  of  New  Perth,  Albany  county, 
now  Salem,  Washington  county.  They  were  well-to-do 
farmers,  and  the  son  naturally  grew  up  to  the  same  occupa- 
tion. During  his  younger  days  he  attended  the  common 
schools  and  the  academy  at  Cambridge,  Washington  county. 
He  therefore  received  a  fair  English  education,  which,  how- 
ever, has  been  well  supplemented  by  the  knowledge  derivable 
from  observation  and  experience. 


Henry  Lawrence.  235 

Mr.  Law  was  formerly  a  Whig,  but  since  the  Republican 
party  was  formed,  he  has  been  an  earnest  and  active  member 
thereof,  and  wields  great  influence  in  the  town  where  he  has  all 
his  life  resided.  Sufficient  evidence  of  this  is,  we  apprehend, 
to  be  found  in  the  fact  that  he  has  held  the  office  of  Justice  of 
the  Peace  steadily,  for. the  past  twenty-nine  years,  having  been 
first  elected  in  1845.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Board  of 
Supeiwisors  from  1861  to  1866,  both  years  inclusive,  and  for 
four  years  was  Chairman  of  the  Board.  In  the  recent  Assem- 
bly canvass  he  received  all  the  votes  cast  in  the  First  District 
of  Washington  county,  no  opponent  being  in  the  field. 

A  Protestant  in  religious  belief,  Mr.  Law  is  a  man  of  large 
and  liberal  views  upon  all  subjects.  He  is  also  gifted  with 
common  sense  and  sound  judgment,  and,  being  a  man  of 
unimpeachable  private  character  and  immovable  principles, 
he  is  in  every  respect  a  fit  representative  of  such  a  constitu- 
ency as  that  in  the  First  District  of  Washington  county. 

He  serves  on  the  Committees  on  Roads  and  Bridges,  Civil 
Divisions  and  Expenditures  of  the  House. 


HENRY  LAWRENCE. 


The  First  district  of  Columbia  county  is  represented  by  a 
man  of  very  decided  ability  and  experience,  in  the  person  of 
Hon.  Henrt  Lawrence,  of  Claverack.  He  was  born  in 
New  York  city,  October  15,  1825.  His  father,  Philip 
Lawrence,  who  resided  in  Columbia  county  many  years,  is 
now  dead,  but  his  mother  is  still  living.  Young  Lawrence 
obtained  a  fair  education  at  the  common  schools,  and  became 
a  marine  engineer,  in  which  occupation  he  has  visited  nearly 
every  country  on  the  globe.  He  has,  therefore,  seen  a  good 
deal  of  the  world,  inasmuch  as  he  followed  that  pursuit 
about  thirty  years.    During  the  last  three  or  four  years  he 


236  Life  Sketches. 

has  been  a  hotel  proprietor  at  Claverack,  and  may  be 
regarded  as  quite  comfortably  off.  For  the  past  several 
years,  since  he  closed  his  roving  life,  he  has  taken  an  active 
interest  in  politics,  being  a  Democrat.  He  has  never  before 
held  office,  however.  He  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  by 
334  majority  over  JoHiq"  D.  LAN^GDON",.his  Eepublican  oppo- 
nent, and  serves  on  the  Committees  on  Expenditures  of  the 
Executive  Department  and  Public  Lands.  He  is  not  him- 
self a  member  of  any  religious  denomination,  but  his  family 
are  Dutch  Reformed.  He  is  quiet  and  unassuming  in  the 
House,  but  his  physiognomy  indicates  a  good  deal  of  force  of 
character,  and  he  is  unquestionably  a  man  of  ability. 


AUSTIN  LEAKE. 


The  Fifth  district  of  New  York,  represented  last  year  by 
Michael  Norton",  who  is,  at  this  writing,  a  fugitive  from 
justice,  sends  this  year  a  Republican  to  the  Assembly.  Mr. 
Leake  is  a  sailmaker  by  trade,  but  he  is  now  engaged  in  the 
undertaking  and  livery  business.  He  was  born  in  New 
York  city,  October  2, 1833,  and  having  lived  in  the  metropolis 
during  most  of  his  life,  he  is  fully  acquainted  with  its  inter- 
ests. Though  he  has  enjoyed  no  educational  opportunities 
other  than  those  afforded  by  the  common  schools,  he  is  well 
informed  upon  all  subjects,  and  is  well  calculated  to  render 
efficient  service  in  the  Legislature.  His  district  has  hereto- 
fore been  strongly  Democratic,  but  he  will,  in  no  sense, 
misrepresent  it.  In  the  recent  canvass  he  ran  against 
CrEORGE  L.  LouTREL,  the  Tammany  candidate,  and  Arthur 
J.  Delaney,  the  nominee  of  Apollo  Hall,  and  was  elected 
by  a  plurality  of  806.  He  performs  his  duties  quietly,  yet 
none  the  less  effectively,  as  a  member  of  the  important 
committees  on  Banks,  Privileges  and  Elections  and  sub- 
committee of  the  Whole. 


Cyrillo  S.  Lincoln,  237 


CYRILLO  S.  LINCOLN. 


Being  a  man  of  acknowledged  ability,  sound  principles 
and  inflexible  integrity,  and  possessing  a  large  share  of  per- 
sonal magnetism,  Mr.  Lincoln  wields  an  influence  not 
inferior  to  that  of  any  other  member  of  the  present  Assem- 
bly. His  habit  of  thinking  and  acting  for  himself  on  all 
important  questions,  at  the  same  time  maintaining  an 
attitude  of  entire  party  fealty,  and  doing  so  with  such  tact 
and  judgment  as  to  commit  no  mistakes,  has  secured  him  the 
respect  as  well  as  the  hearty  esteem.of  friends  and  opponents. 

Mr.  Lincoln  was  born  in  South  Bristol,  Ontario  county, 
on  the  18th  of  July,  1833.  His  father,  Lucius  Lincoln, 
was  born  in  Otsego  county,  and  is  still  living  and  engaged 
in  farming.  Young  Lincoln  enjoyed  ample  educational 
advantages.  At  the  age  of  twelve  he  entered  the  Genesee 
Wesleyan  Seminary,  subsequently  spent  some  time  in  the 
New  York  Conference  Seminary,  and,  in  1855,  entered  Union 
College,  graduating  from  that  institution  with  honor  in  1858. 
He  then  read  law  for  a  year  or  more  at  the  oflBce  of  F.  L. 
DuRAND,  in  Rochester,  and  was  soon  after  admitted  to  the 
bar.  Since  then  he  has  practiced  successfully,  devoting 
muca  of  his  time,  howev:r,  to  grape  growing,  .wnir;;  one  of 
the  finest  vineyards  in  that  section  of  the  State.  In  1864, 
he  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  held  the  oflBce  until 
1871,  when  he  was  first  elected  to  the  Assembly. 

His  career  in  the  Assembly  has  been  most  creditable  to  his 
constituents  and  to  himself.  He  was  elected  in  1871  by  a 
majority  of  510,  but  in  1872,  his  majority  reached  810,  and, 
in  1873,  in  a  very  light  vote,  it  was  355.  He  has,  therefore, 
well  maintained  his  popularity.  His  recognition  at  Albany 
has  also  been  marked.  Though  he  had  been  placed  on  no 
yery  important  committees  the  first  year,  a  deserved  tribute 


238  Life  Sketches, 

was  paid  him  by  the  House  later  in  the  session  in  choosing 
him  as  one  of  the  managers  in  the  Bari^-akd  impeachment 
trial.  The  result  of  that  trial  is  well  known,  and  no  one, 
with  perhaps  one  or  two  exceptions,  labored  harder  to  bring 
it  about  than  Mr.  Lincoln.  In  the  last  House  he  was 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Claims,  and  also  a  member 
of  the  Committee  on  Petitions  of  Aliens,  of  the  Sub-Com- 
mittee of  the  Whole,  and  of  the  special  committee  to  inves- 
tigate the  affairs  of  the  Erie  Railway  Company.  In  the 
present  House  he  is  Chairman  of  Railroads  and  Rules,  and 
member  of  Ways  and  Means. 

Mr.  Lincoln's  Republicanism  is  a  part  of  his  personality. 
It  is  "  dyed  in  the  wool."  Since  the  party  was  organized  he 
has  steadily  acted  with  it,  voting  for  Feemont  in  1856,  for 
Lincoln  twice  and  for  Grant  twice.  He  is,  in  fact,  one  of 
the  most  active  and  influential  Republicans  of  Ontario 
county.  As  a  public  speaker  he  has  few  superiors.  With  a 
voice  full  and  sonorous,  an  easy  and  natural  manner  of 
delivery  and  clear  enunciation,  he  has  no  difficulty  in  secur- 
ing the  attention  of  the  House,  whatever  the  topic  of  dis- 
cussion. He  talks  well  on  all  subjects,  and  is  also  a  clear 
and  acute  reasoner,  holding,  in  the  main,  sound  views  on  all 
the  political,  social  and  financial  questions  of  the  day. 

Physically,  Mr.  Lincoln  is  well  built,  and  the  embodi- 
ment of  perfect  health.  His  prepossessing  countenance  is  a 
true  index  to  the  man,  and  harmonizes  well  with  the  broad 
intellectual  forehead,  luxuriant  brown  hair  and  clear  blue 
eyes.  The  people  of  the  Second  district  of  Ontario  are 
fortunate  in  being  so  well  represented  in  the  Assemby. 


Horatio  S.  Lockwood,  239 


HORATIO  S.  LOCKWOOD. 


Mr.  Lockwood  comes  from  a  district  which  is  usually 
expected  to  send  a  Democrat  to  the  Assembly,  but  he  is  one 
of  those  men  whose  virtues  and  exalted  character  have  the 
effect  to  disarm  party  opposition,  and  who  are  popular  with 
all  classes,  with  very  little  regard  to  political  affiliation.  He 
is,  however,  an  earnest  and  conscientious  Republican,  and 
fully  alive,  not  only  to  the  welfare  of  his  own  town  and 
county,  but  to  all  that  relates  to  good  government  in  State 
and  nation.  Holding  strong  convictions  upon  the  topics  and 
issues  of  the  time,  he  adheres  to  his  party  as  in  his  view  the 
best  exponent  of  those  convictions. 

Mr.  Lockwood  was  born  in  Lexington,  Greene  county,  on 
the  3d  of  September,  1815.  He  was  the  son  oc  John  Lock- 
wood,  a  native  of  Connecticut,  who  removed  to  Greene 
county  and  engaged  in  farming,  developing  good  business 
ability,  and  being  highly  esteemed  as  an  upright  man  and  a 
member  and  officer  of  the  church.  The  son  was  educated  in 
the  common  schools,  and  in  the  year  1866  was  married,  in 
Hunter,  to  Miss  Sarah  A.  Platt.  For  many  years  Mr.  L. 
has  been  a  successful  merchant,  being  located  most  of  the 
time  in  Hunter.  For  several  years,  also,  he  has  been  engaged 
in  the  manufacture  of  chairs,  in  partnership  with  J.  W. 
Mason  &  Co.,  of  New  York  city.  He  still  has  charge  of  the 
factory  employed  in  that  business,  which  is  located  at  Hun- 
ter. For  several  years,  he  has  filled  the  office  of  Assistant 
Collector  and  Assessor  of  Internal  Revenue,  being  an  incum- 
bent when  the  latter  office  was  abolished  last  year.  In  those 
important  positions  he  performed  his  duties  with  promptness 
and  impartiality.  He  has  held  numerous  responsible  sta- 
tions of  a  local  nature,  though  the  possession  of  none  of 
them  was  of  his  own  seeking.  During  his  whole  business 
and  official  career  he  has  been  recognized  by  all  who  have  in 


240  Life  Sketches, 

any  way  had  dealings  with  him  as  a  man  of  unimpeachable 
integrity,  a  peacemaker  when  conflicting  interests  clashed, 
a  friend  to  the  laboring  classes  and  to  the  poor,  and  in  all 
respects  a  useful,  honorable  citizen.  He  has  been  a  member 
and  officer  of  the  Presbyterian  church  for  a  number  of  years, 
and  both  as  a  man  of  business  and  as  a  Christian  he  has 
enjoyed  the  entire  confidence  of  his  own  community,  as  well 
as  of  the  residents  of  the  entire  county.  No  better  proof  of 
his  hold  upon  the  popular  regard  can,  perhaps,  be  given,  than 
the  fact  that  he  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  over  a  popular 
Democrat,  who  was  once  a  member  of  the  House,  by  a 
majority  of  208,  though  the  district  the  previous  year  gave  a 
majority  of  nearly  800  to  the  Democratic  candidate,  and  has 
always  been  deemed  strongly  Democratic.  This  year  it  gave 
the  Democratic  State  ticket  a  majority  of  more  than  700. 
He  serves  on  the  Committees  on  Claims  and  Trade  and  Man- 
ufactures, and  performs  his  legislative  duties  quietly,  yet 
efficiently.  He  is  a  man  whose  vote  cannot  be  bought,  and 
who  follows  the  convictions  of  his  judgment  and  conscience, 
at  whatever  cost. 


DOLPHUS  S.  LYNDE. 


Thf^  son  of  pn rents  in  quite  comfortable  circumstances, 
Mr.  Lynde  has  been  literally  the  architect  of  his  own  fortune. 
He  was  born  in  Antwerp,  Jefferson  county,  July  1,  1833,  and 
is  therefore  nearly  forty-one  years  of  age.  His  parents  were 
of  Irish  and  English  descent.  He  remained  with  his  father, 
doing  farm  work,  and  attending  the  common  schools  and 
Gouverneur  Wesleyan  Seminary  until  the  age  of  twenty, 
when  he  married  Esther  S.  Caul,  who  proved  herself  indeed 
"a  help-meet "  to  him.  His  father  was  worth  a  fine  property 
at  that  time,  yet  he  declined  to  extend  to  the  young  couple 
any  pecuniary  aid  whatever.     He  argued  that  he  had  earned 


DoLPHUs  S.  Ltnde.  241 

the  money  himself,  and,  as  he  might  need  it,  he  proposed  to 
take  care  of  it  while  he  lived.  The  newly-married  pair 
moved  into  a  board  shanty,  and  supported  themselves  by 
keeping  boarders  at  a  dollar  and  a  half  each  per  week,  the 
plucky  husband  earning  in  the  mean  time  about  $20  a  month 
by  driving  an  ox  team  and  carting  and  piling  lumber.  He 
carried  the  first  fifty  pounds  of  flour  for  the  new  household  a 
distance  of  two  miles  past  his  father's  house,  although  at  the 
same  time  there  were  two  hundred  bushels  of  wheat  in  the 
old  gentleman's  barn. 

The  somewhat  singular  conduct  of  his  parent  aroused  all 
the  spirit  in  the  young  man's  breast.  When  the  next  spring 
arrived  he  bought  a  farm  and  a  stock  of  cows  on  credit,  and 
sold  them  again  in  the  fall,  realizing  $1,000  above  the  debt 
he  had  incurred.  This  fortunate  speculation  was  the  begin- 
ning of  a  successful  career.  Placing  his  money  at  interest;, 
he  kept  a  set  of  books  during  the  next  two  years  for  James 
Sterling,  an  Antwerp  iron  manufacturer,  at  an  annual  sal- 
ary of  $500,  and  the  use  of  a  house  and  garden.  At  the  end 
of  three  years  he  had  doubled  his  thousand  dollars.  He  then 
moved  toHermon,  St.  Lawrence  county,  where  he  has  since 
been  engaged  in  selling  goods,  milling,  buying  and  selling 
cattle  and  real  estate,  and  similar  occupations.  He  also  aided 
to  organize  the  Cooper's  Falls  Iron  Works,  and  was  one  of 
the  stockholders  of  the  corporation,  but  sold  his  interest 
before  the  works  were  finally  completed. 

He  has  been  uniformly  successful  in  all  his  ventures,  so 
that  he  is  now  the  possessor  of  a  handsome  fortune,  and  he 
filially  attributes  his  success  in  life  entirely  to  what  he  deemed, 
at  the  time,  very  harsh  conduct  on  the  part  of  his  respected 
parent,  which,  however,  had  the  intended  effect  to  stimulate 
him  to  make  extraordinary  exertions  to  place  himself  in  an 
independent  position.  However  we  may  regard  the  course 
of  the  elder  Lynde  in  the  abstract,  we  must  admit  that  he 
correctly  estimated  his  son's  character,  and  did  what  in  the 
end  proved  to  be  the  best  for  him. 
31 


242  Life  Sketches. 

Since  Mr.  Lii^de  has  resided  in  St.  Lawrence  county  he  has 
been  prominently  identified  with  its  political  history.  Previ- 
ous to  1864  he  was  a  Democrat,  but  in  that  year,  in  common 
■with  many  Democrats,  he  took  a  new  departure,  and  cast  his 
vote  for  the  Likcoli^  electoral  ticket.  Since  that  time,  he 
has  invariably  acted  with  the  Republican  party.  As  a  mem- 
ber of  that  party  he  represented  the  town  of  Hermon  in  the 
St.  Lawrence  Board  of  Supervisors,  for  three  years,  com- 
mencing in  1868.  In  1870  he  was  appointed  a  Notary 
Public.  Four  times  in  succession  he  has  been  elected  to  the 
Assembly  from  the  Second  district  of  St.  Lawrence,  the  last 
time  by  a  majority  of  1,186,  and  his  straightforward,  honest 
course  in  that  body  has  been  a  source  of  gratification,  alike 
to  his  constituents  and  the  State  at  large,  in  which  he  is  now 
extensively  known.  During  his  legislative  service  he  has 
been  a  member  of  the  Committees  on  Internal  Affairs,  Rail- 
roads, Engrossed  Bills,  and  State  Prisons,  and  Chairman  of 
Internal  Affairs  during  three  terms,  including  the  present 
one. 


JAMES  MACKIN. 


Mr.  Mackii!?",  a  man  of  prepossessing  appearance  and 
pleasant  address,  represents  the  First  district  of  Dutchess 
county  for  the  third  term.  He  is  a  lineal  descendant  of 
genuine  Irish  stock,  though  his  parents  were  natives  of  this 
county,  his  father  having  been  born  in  New  York,  and  his 
mother  in  Newburgh.  They  both  died,  however,  within 
three  years  of  each  other,  before  young  Ma^ckin"  had  reached 
his  eighth  year,  and  he  was  left  entirely  without  means. 
Compelled  thus  to  struggle  for  his  own  support,  from  early 
youth,  Mr.  Mackik  is  necessarily  one  of  those  practical 
self-made  men,  who  contribute  so  largely  to  the  prosperity 
of  the  country. 


James  Mackin.  243 

Born  in  Newbnrgh,  Orange  county,  on  the  25th  of  Decem- 
ber, 1823,  he  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  New- 
burgh  and  Fishkill,  and  has  spent  the  greater  portion  of  his 
life  in  the  latter  town,  where  he  has  had  the  care  of  a  large 
estate.  During  the  years  1860, 1861  and  1862,  he  conducted 
a  mercantile  establishment  at  Fishkill  quite  successfully. 
The  responsibilities  of  the  estate  mentioned  were,  however, 
sufficient  to  give  him  ample  occupation,  and  he  retired  from 
business.  Subsequently,  he  became  President  of  the  First 
National  Bank  of  Fishkill  Landing,  and  still  holds  that 
position. 

Mr.  Mackin  has  mingled  largely  in  public  and  political 
Jife.  He  was  an  active  and  influential  Whig  of  the  Free  Soil 
stamp,  until  the  party  was  dissolved.  He  was  not  only  a 
delegate  to  the  convention  which  gave  form  and  cohesion  to 
the  Republican  organization,  but,  previous  to  1866,  he  was 
several  times  a  delegate  to  the  conventions  of  that  party,  and 
has  held  a  number  of  public  positions.  For  four  years  he 
was  postmaster  at  Fishkill,  holding  the  position  under  the 
appointment  of  President  Fillmore.  In  1862  President 
Lincoln  appointed  him  United  States  Assessor  for  the  12th 
(now  the  13th)  district,  and  he  held  the  office  two  years  and 
a  half.  Four  times  he  was  elected  Supervisor  of  his  town, 
and  once  he  was  chosen  President  of  the  Board.  In  1859  he 
represented  his  Assembly  district  in  the  Legislature,  serving 
on  the  Committees  on  Claims,  and  Internal  affairs  of  Towns 
and  Counties. 

During  the  past  six  or  seven  years,  Mr.  Mackin  has  acted 
with  the  Democratic  party,  and  was  elected  to  the  Assembly 
in  1872  as  a  member  of  that  political  organization,  receiving 
a  majority  of  828  over  Edward  M.  Goring.  Last  fall  he 
was  re-elected  by  a  majority  of  830  over  Sidney  E.  Bar- 
tram.  He  served,  last  year,  on  the  Committees  on  Railroads 
and  Public  Printing,  and  this  year  is  on  Railroads,  Vil- 
lages and  Militia. 

Though  not  greatly  given  to  debate,  Mr.  Mackin  possesses 


244  Life  Sketches, 

excellent  qualifications  for  legislative  position.  He  enjoys  a 
large  degree  of  popularity,  both  in  private  and  public  life, 
and  there  are  few  men  in  his  section  of  the  State  more  deserv- 
ing of  public  confidence.  He  was  married,  in  July,  1858, 
to  Miss  Sarah  E.  Wiltsie,  a  very  intelligent  and  accom- 
plished lady,  and  a  daughter  of  James  Wiltsie,  an  old  and 
respected  citizen  of  Fishkill.  She  was  a  devout  member  of 
the  Keformed  Church,  where  Mr.  Mackin"  also  worshiped. 
Her  death  took  place  in  1862,  and  her  place  in  the  family 
circle  has  never  been  filled.  Mr.  M.  has  been  reasonably  suc- 
cessful in  all  his  business  undertakings,  and  may  be  regarded 
as  in  quite  comfortable  circumstances. 


JOHN  MANLEY. 


The  member  from  the  Second  district  of  Cattaraugus 
county  is  serving  his  second  term.  He  is  well  known 
throughout  the  State  as  a  sound  and  reliable  business  man, 
as  well  as  an  earnest  and  conscientious  Republican.  Born  m 
Norridgewock,  Me.,  in  the  year  1824,  his  early  years  were 
mainly  spent  upon  the  farm  of  his  father,  Amasa  Manley. 
He  attended  school  regularly,  however,  and  obtained  a  good 
English  education.  In  1847  he  married  Miss  Elizabeth 
BiTTUES,  at  Augusta,  Me.,  and  soon  afterward  removed  to 
this  State.  He  settled  at  Little  Valley,  Cattaraugus  county., 
where  he  in  time  became  the  owner  of  a  large  landed  prop- 
erty. For  a  number  of  years  he  has  been  engaged  in  farm- 
ing, and  gradually  became  one  of  the  most  prosperous,  active 
and  influential  citizens  of  that  section.  His  real  estate  opera- 
tions in  Little  Valley  have  been  quite  extensive,  and  to  hit' 
enterprise  and  public  spirit  is  due  many  of  the  attractions 
of  that  thriving  village. 

Mr.  Manley  has  been  very  prominently  identified  witii 
politics  during  most  of  his  life.    In  his  early  days  he  was  a 


John  Manlet.  245 

Whig,  and  as  such  he  voted  for  Generals  Taylor  and  Scott 
for  the  Presidential  office.  Since  the  Whig  party  dissolved 
he  has  been  an  unswerving  Republican,  taking  a  leading  part 
in  the  councils  of  that  party,  both  in  his  own  county  and  in 
the  State  at  large.  He  has  also  held  several  important 
public  positions,  in  which  he  invariably  exhibited  marked 
ability  and  devotion  to  duty,  as  well  as  the  sternest  integrity. 
His  first  entrance  into  public  life  was  in  1860,  when  he  repre- 
sented Little  Valley  in  the  Cattaraugus  Board  of  Supervi- 
sors. In  1870  he  was  again  chosen  a  member  of  the  Board, 
and  still  serves  in  that  capacity,  being  re-elected  every  year 
by  a  nearly  unanimous  vote.  In  1861  he  was  appointed 
Clerk  in  the  Department  of  the  Interior,  under  Secretary 
Smith,  and  served  four  years.  In  1864  he  was  detailed  as  a 
special  Indian  Agent  within  the  New  York  agency,  and  it 
was  made  his  duty  to  pay  over  the  moneys  and  annuities  due 
from  the  United  States  under  treaty  stipulations.  In  the 
performance  of  that  duty  he  visited  the  several  reservations, 
and  conferred  freely  with  the  Indians  in  reference  to  their 
educational,  agricultural  and  industrial  condition,  and  also 
in  regard  to  a  difficulty  which  had  previously  arisen  between 
the  special  Commissioners  of  the  Government  and  some  of 
the  representatives  of  the  Six  Nations.  In  March,  1865,  he 
was  appointed  Military  Secretary  on  the  Staff  of  Governor 
Fenton,  and  held  the  position  until  May,  1866.  Since  that 
time,  however,  he  has  been  an  uncompromising  opponent  of 
Mr.  Fenton. 

During  the  war,  Mr.  Manley  was  active  in  his  efforts  to 
mitigate  the  sufferings  of  the  Union  soldiers  in  the  hospital 
and  in  the  camp.  During  his  residence  in  Washington  he 
was  active  in  their  behalf,  directing  his  efforts,  of  course, 
specially  to  those  from  his  own  county.  At  the  close  of  the 
war,  he  received  several  handsome  testimonials,  in  recogni- 
tion of  the  service  he  rendered  in  this  respect,  among  which 
was  an  elegant  gold  watch  and  chain,  presented  by  the  mem- 
bers of  the  Sixty-fourth  New  York  Volunteers. 


246  Life  Sketches', 

That  Mr.  Makley  has  gained  considerable  eminence  as  an 
agriculturist,  is  shown  by  the  fact  that  he  served  seven  years 
as  President  of  the  Cattaraugus  County  Agricultural  Society, 
aiding  very  materially  in  bringing  it  to  its  present  prosperous 
condition.  He  is  now  a  member  of  the  Executive  Committee 
of  the  New  York  State  Agricultural  Society. 

In  the  canvass  of  1872,  Mr.  Manley  was  met  by  a  storm 
of  detraction  and  slander,  and  herculean  efforts  were  made 
to  defeat  him;  but,  after  an  exciting  contest, he  was  success- 
ful, notwithstanding  the  large  "Liberal"  defection  in  his 
district,  by  a  majority  of  535.  His  majority  in  1873  was 
484. 

He  is  a  plain,  substantial-looking  gentleman,  in  the  full 
flush  of  rosy  health,  and  possesses  a  nature  well  calculated 
to-  win  the  regard  of  his  fellows.  His  religion,  as  he  himself 
expresses  it,  consists  in  faith  in  the  Supreme  Being,  and  an 
endeavor  to  do  right  in  all  things.  A  knowledge  of  the  man 
Impresses  one  with  the  belief  that  he  is  quite  successful  in 
carrying  that  sort  of  religion  into  his  daily  life. 


KNOX  McAFEE. 


Mr.  McAfee  represents  the  Eleventh  Kew  York  district, 
and  is  a  young  New  Yorker  of  unblemished  character.  He 
is  of  Scotch  descent,  both  his  parents,  William  and  Eliza- 
beth McAfee,  being  also  residents  of  the  metropolis.  Mr. 
McAfee  was  born  in  New  York  city,  January  3,  1843,  and 
has  resided  there  all  his  life.  Aside,  therefore,  from  his 
unquestioned  ability  and  his  qualifications  in  other  respects, 
he  is  peculiarly  well  fitted  to  represent  the  great  city  in  the 
Legislature.  Mr.  McAfee  is  finely  educated,  having  gradu- 
ated from  the  college  of  the  city  of  New  York  in  the  class 
of  1862,  receiving  the  degree  of  A.  B.    Though  a  man  of 


Knox  McAfee.  247 

much  literary  culture  and  fine  taste,  bis  inclination  has  not 
led  him  to  adopt  either  of  the  professions.  During  the  past 
few  years  he  has  been  in  the  real  estate  business,  in  which 
he  has  been  reasonably  successful. 

During  the  war,  Mr.  McAfee  organized  a  company  for  the 
12th  New  York  Infantry,  and  was  commissioned  as  Captain 
April  29,  1862,  being  at  the  time  but  nineteen  years  of  age. 
He  proceeded  to  the  front  with  the  regiment.  He  was,  how- 
ever, taken  prisoner  at  Harper's  Ferry,  and  paroled.  On 
being  exchanged  early  in  1863,  he  immediately  returned  to 
service  with  his  regiment,  and  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of 
Major  and  afterward  to  that  of  Lieutenant-Colonel,  remain- 
ing with  the  Twelfth  regiment  during  its  term  of  service. 
His  war  record  is,  therefore,  in  the  hjgliest  degree  honorable. 
When  he  returned  home  he  brought  with  him  a  youthful 
"contraband,"  a  bright, young  fellow,  who  became  devotedly 
attached  to  him.  Col.  McAfee  reciprocated  the  attachment 
by  giving  him  a  thorough  education  in  New  York  city,  and 
he  is  now  filling  a  position  of  responsibility,  being  respected 
and  trusted  by  all  who  know  him. 

In  politics,  Mr.  McAfee  has  always  been  a  Republican 
He  was  never  before  a  candidate  for  any  elective  office,  but 
during  four  years  he  held  the  position  of  Deputy  Collector 
of  Internal  Revenue  of  the  eighth  district  of  New  York, 
and  for  three  years  he  was  a  United  States  Ganger  in  the 
Custom  House.  He  resigned  both  positions,  however,  pre- 
ferring the  emoluments  of  a  business  rather  than  an  official 
career.  He  was  greatly  disinclined  to  accept  the  Assembly 
nomination,  which  had  been  repeatedly  tendered  by  his 
fi-iends,  but,  at  the  earnest  solicitation  of  those  friends,  he 
finally  consented  to  accept  what  was  to  him  a  personal  sacri- 
fice. His  majority  over  tlie  combined  Tammany  and  Apollo 
Hall  vote  was  896,  his  opponent  being  Oliver  P.  Buel.  Such 
majorities  are  not  frequently  vouchsafed  to  Republican 
Assembly  candidates  in  the  metropolis,  and  it  indicates  the 
regard  in  which  he  is  held  by    the  voters  of  the  eleventh 


248  Life  Sketches. 

district.  Mr.  M.  serves  on  the  Committees  on  Cities  and 
Militia. 

Adhering  to  the  Presbyterian  faith  —  the  faith  of  his 
fathers  —  Mr.  McAfee  is,  in  all  respects,  a  man  of  integ- 
rity and  rectitude.  His  legislative  action  is,  therefore, 
governed  by  principle,  and  his  vote  on  every  question  may 
be  regarded  as  the  expression  of  what  he  conscientiously 
believes  to  be  right.  His  course  in  the  House  is  marked  by 
a  quiet  and  resei-ved  demeanor,  in  strong  contrast  with  the 
volubility  of  some  other  members  of  that  body,  but  his  keen 
black  eye  intently  watches  the  progress  of  legislation,  and  he 
is  able  to  vote  understandingly  when  his  name  is  called. 

Mr.  McAfee  was  married  on  the  8th  of  June,  1870,  to 
Miss  Ollie  V.  KiRBT,  of  New  York. 


JOHN  McGHOAHTY. 


Mr.  McGroaety  represents  the  district  which  has,  for  sev- 
eral years,  sent  us  the  veteran  Jacobs,  who  is  promoted  to  the 
Senate.  He  is  a  well-known  politician  of  the  Ninth  Ward, 
Brooklyn  ;  and  though  he  is  comparatively  a  young  man, 
he  has  mingled  considerably  in  the  local  politics  of  the  City 
of  Churches,  where  he  has  resided  all  his  life.  He  was  born 
in  Brooklyn  on  the  14th  of  February,  1838,  and  educated  in 
the  public  schools  of  that  city.  He  learned  the  trade  of  a 
hatter,  and  followed  that  occupation  some  years,  but  of  late 
he  has  been  engaged  in  the  real  estate  business,  and,  pecun- 
iarily, is  quite  well  off.  For  the  last  six  years  he  has  been 
an  Alderman  for  the  Ninth  Ward  of  Brooklyn. 

He  does  not  take  a  very  active  part  in  the  Assembly,  so 
far,  at  least,  as  the  debates  are  concerned,  but  his  name  is 
attached  to  a  good  many  measures  designed  to  advance  the 
interests  of  his  constituents,  and  he  will  make  a  creditable 
record.  His  majority  over  John"  Oakey,  the  Eepublican 
candidate  in  the  late  canvass,  was  714,  a  gain  of  nearly  150 
over  Mr.  Jacobs'  last  majority. 


« 
Daniel  P.  McQueen,  249 


DANIEL  P.  McQueen. 


We  have  been  accustomed  to  couple  the  name  of  the  his- 
toric county  up  the  Mohawk  with  venerable  associations,  but 
the  fact  that  she  is  represented  on  the  floor  of  the  Assembly 
by  one  of  her  younger  sons,  is  not  so  incongruous  as  it  might 
appear  at  first  thought,  inasmuch  as  she  has  of  late  suc- 
ceeded, in  a  figurative  sense,  in  transfusing  a  good  deal  of 
youthful  blood  into  her  veins. 

Mr.  McQueen,  the  member  from  Schenectady,  is  of  Scotch 
descent  and  was  born  in  Stockbridge,  Mass.,  July  6,  1843. 
His  father,  Walter  McQueen,  a  practical  machinist,  re- 
moved to  Schenectady  about  twenty-five  years  ago,  and 
became  Superintendent  of  the  well-known  Schenectady  loco- 
motive works,  a  position  which  he  has  held  until  the  present 
time.  Young  McQueen  received  a  good  common-school 
education,  and  was  brought  up  in  the  locomotive  works, 
becoming,  like  his  father,  a  practical  machinist  and  locomo- 
tive engineer.  Five  years  since,  he  was  married  to  Miss  S. 
M.  Myers,  of  Toledo,  Ohio. 

He  had  never  been  particularly  prominent  as  a  politician 
until  his  first  election  to  the  Assembly  in  1872,  when  he 
was  induced,  somewhat  against  his  wishes,  at  first,  to  become 
a  candidate,  and  was  nominated  in  the  convention  by  accla- 
mation. The  Democrats  nominated  Thomas  B.  Mitchell, 
a  man  of  considerable  ability,  but  Mr.  McQueen  was  elected 
by  a  majority  of  489.  Last  fall  he  was  re-nominated  against 
Arthur  W.  Hunter,  a  well-known  and  highly  esteemed 
Democrat,  and  re-elected  by  a  majority  of  154.  He  is  Chair- 
man of  Federal  Relations,  and  member  of  Public  Printing. 

Mr.  McQueen  is  a  man  of  action  rather  than  words,  and 
is  wide  awake  in  every  sense  of  the  term.     Favored  as  he  is 
with  robust  health,  a  superb  physique  and  sound  common 
sense,  his  future  is  full  of  promise. 
32 


260  Life  Sketches, 


THEODORE  N.  MELYIN. 


Mr.  Melvin",  though  new  to  the  Assembly,  is  rapidly  tak- 
ing rank  as  one  of  its  ablest  members.  He  is  the  son  of 
the  late  Solomon  Melvik,  a  prominent  lawyer  of  New 
York  city,  and  Captain  of  the  Old  Light  Guard.  His  father 
and  grandfathers  were  all  natives  of  New  York  city. 

Theodore  Noble  Melvij^"  was  born  in  New  York  city  on 
the  1st  of  December,  1846,  and  has  therefore  just  passed  his 
twenty-eighth  year.  His  education  was  obtained  mostly  in 
the  common  schools,  but  he  spent  some  time  at  Columbia 
College,  not,  however,  remaining  long  enough  to  graduate. 
Subsequently  he  studied  law  with  Hon.  J.  S.  Lawrence  in 
New  York  city,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1868.  At  the 
present  time  he  is  successfully  practicing  law  in  Brooklyn, 
being  in  partnership  with  ex-Judge  W.  Henry  Gale. 

Mr.  Melvin  has  been  known  as  an  active  Democrat  for 
several  years  past.  In  1872  he  stumped  the  lower  counties 
of  this  State  for  Greeley  and  Kernan,  and  performed 
effective  work  in  that  campaign.  In  the  late  canvass  he  had 
the  regular  Kepublican  candidate  and  two  Democratic  stump 
candidates  against  him,  in  a  district  (the  Fourth  of  Kings) 
which  elected  a  Eepublican  the  previous  year,  but  he  received 
a  plurality  of  322,  and  polled  nearly  as  many  votes  as  the 
three  together. 

Though  Mr.  Melvin's  voice  is  somewhat  gruff  and  coarse 
in  tone,  he  is  an  excellent  public  speaker,  and  he  has  shown 
his  ability  in  debate  on  several  occasions  during  the  present 
session,  while  he  is  at  all  times  an  active  and  attentive  member 
of  the  House. 

He  is  a  member  of  the  Protestant  Episcopal  Church,  in 
which  he  was  brought  up  from  youth,  and  is  still  enjoying 
the  "  freedom  of  single  blessedness." 


Edmund  Mills k.  251 


EDMUND  MILLER. 


The  county  of  Chemung  is  represented  for  the  second 
time  by  Mr.  Edmund  Miller,  of  Elmira.  He  was  born  in 
Southport,  November  1,  1808.  His  father  was  of  German 
descent,  and  his  mother  was  a  native  of  Connecticut.  In  1783, 
during  the  French  and  Indian  war,  his  grandfather  was 
taken  prisoner  by  the  Indians  in  Northampton  county,  Pa., 
and  brought  to  the  head  of  Seneca  lake,  where  he  escaped 
and  returned  home.  He  subsequently  settled  in  Southport, 
and  his  son,  the  father  of  Edmund,  who  was  a  farmer,  lived 
and  died  upon  the  farm  now  occupied  by  the  latter. 

Mr.  Miller's  education  was  confined  to  the  common 
schools,  but  those  advantages  were  very  thoroughly  improved. 
He  was  married  October  30th,  1835,  to  Pamelia.  Du  Bois,  a 
daughter  of  John  Du  Bois,  of  Tioga  county.  Mr.  Miller's 
occupation  is  mainly  that  of  a  farmer,  though  he  has  also  been 
connected  with  other  pursuits,  and  has  at  times  dealt  largely 
in  cattle  and  lumber. 

He  was  a  Member  of  the  Assembly  of  1868,  being  elected 
by  about  250  majority  over  George  W.  Buck,  and  served  as 
chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Claims  and  member  of  Agri- 
culture. At  that  time  he  was  known  as  a  careful  and  sagaci- 
ous legislator.  He  has  also  held  all  the  various  offices  in  his 
town,  and  has  been  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Supervisors  for 
many  years  up  to  the  last  town  meeting,  when  he  declined  a 
renomination.  He  has  always  been  true  to  the  Democratic 
party  and  of  great  service  to  it.  His  opponent  last  fall  was 
William  Armstrong,  Republican,  whom  he  defeated  by  214 
majority,  the  Republican  majority  the  previous  year  being  350. 

He  is  liberal  in  his  religious  views  and  is  a  man  of  decided 
convictions  and  upright  character. 


252  Life  Sketches. 


WARNER   MILLER. 


Though  Mr.  Miller  made  his  first  appearance  in  public 
official  life  as  a  member  of  the  present  Legislature,  he  leaped 
at  once  into  a  prominent  position  in  that  body,  and  wields  a 
large  influence.  He  possesses  marked  ability,  and  is  extremely 
clear-headed  and  practical  in  his  ideas.  Accustomed  to 
think  and  act  for  himself  upon  every  question,  his  views  are 
characterized  by  originality  and  boldness,  and  he  does  not 
hesitate  to  back  up  his  opinions  by  'arguments  which  are 
couched  in  the  plainest  and  most  effective  language.  Being 
an  extensive  manufacturer,  whatever  tends  to  advance  the 
industrial  interests  of  the  State  naturally  enlists  his  warm 
sympathy,  but  at  the  same  time  his  eff'orts  in  that  direction 
are  inspired  by  no  selfish  considerations.  The  welfare  of  the 
community  at  large  is  uppermost  in  his  mind.  He  is  also  a 
warm  friend  of  the  common  schools  of  the  State,  and  is  the 
steadfast  opponent  of  any  efforts  to  encourage  other  educa- 
tional systems  at  the  expense  of  that  which,  in  its  scope  and 
mission,  is  peculiarly  adapted  to  the  whole  people.  In  the 
present  session  Mr.  Miller  has  attained  prominence  because 
of  the  proposition  initiated  by  himself  to  strike  from  the 
general  appropriation  bill  a  clause  giving  $125,000  to  the 
Academies  of  the  State.  He  made  a  powerful  speech  in 
advocacy  of  his  motion  to  strike  out,  and  carried  the  House 
with  him  by  a  decided  majority,  but  when  the  bill  reached 
the  Senate,  the  clause  was  inserted  after  protracted  discus- 
sion. He  gives  to  the  consideration  of  every  question  great 
earnestness  and  deep  thought,  and  his  speeches  are  always 
direct  and  to  the  point. 

Mr.  Miller  was  born  in  Oswego  county,  August  12,  1838. 
He  is  of  German  descent,  his  ancestors  having  emigrated  to 
this  country  previous  to  the  Revolutionary  war.  His  great 
grandfather  was  a  colonel  in  that  memorable  conflict,  and  his 
dwelling,  which  is  still  standing  at  White  Plains,  was  occupied 


Warner  Miller.  253 

by  Gen.  Washington  as  his  headquarters.  Abraham  Mil- 
ler, an  uncle  of  the  present  Assemblyman,  represented  West- 
chester county  for  fourteen  successive  years  in  the  Assembly. 

Young  Miller  was  fortunate  in  the  educational  oppor- 
tunities he  enjoyed.  He  passed  through  the  usual  common- 
school  experience  in  early  youth,  and  when  he  reached  a 
proper  age,  entered  Union  College  at  Schenectady.  From 
that  institution  he  graduated  in  1860,  standing  well  with  his 
class.  After  graduating,  he  taught  for  a  short  period  at  Forfc 
Edward  Institute.  After  the  war  broke  out  he  enlisted  as  a 
private  in  the  third  New  York  Cavalry,  and  was  afterward 
promoted  to  the  grade  of  Sergeant- Major.  He  saw  much 
arduous  service  in  Virginia  under  Sheridan  and  others,  and 
at  the  battle  of  Winchester  he  was  taken  prisoner  by  "  Stone- 
wall" Jackson's  brigade,  and  was  paroled  on  the  field.  At 
this  time  he  was  acting  Lieutenant.  After  receiving  an 
honorable  discharge  from  the  army,  Mr.  Miller  spent  some 
time  in  Europe,  gaining  important  knowledge  concerning 
the  manufacture  of  paper.  On  his  return  he  established 
himself  in  the  paper  business  at  Herkimer,  and  is  still  carry- 
ing on  that  branch  of  manufacture  successfully,  employing 
a  large  number  of  hands.  In  July,  1864,  he  was  married  at 
Gloversville,  N.  Y.,  to  Caroline  Churchill. 

Mr.  Miller  is  known  throughout  Herkimer  county  as  an 
active  Republican,  but  he  has  never  before  accepted  office. 
Of  refined  tastes,  rare  culture,  and  possessing  excellent  social 
qualities,  he  is  deservedly  popular.  He  is  also  widely 
respected  and  honored  for  his  high  character  and  strict 
principles.  No  man  in  the  present  Assembly  is  more 
entirely  unsuspected,  or  free  from  contaminating  influences 
than  the  member  from  Herkimer.  He  is  a  consisten  t  member 
of  the  Methodist  church,  and  in  his  private  life  is  entirely 
without  reproach.  In  the  House,  he  is  a  member  of  the 
Committees  on  Insurance,  Engrossed  Bills,  and  Sub-Com- 
mittee of  the  Whole,  and  takes  rank  among  the  most  effective 
of  the  working  members. 


254  Life  Sketches. 


JONATHAN  B.  MOEEY. 


Mr.  MoKEY,  the  very  capable  member  from  Livingston 
county,  has  twice  before  been  a  member  of  Assembly  from 
that  county,  in  the  years  1864  and  1865.  He  is,  therefore, 
experienced  in  the  ways  of  legislation,  as  well  as  thoroughly 
acquainted  with  the  needs  of  his  constituency.  He  was  born 
at  Dansville,  where  he  still  resides,  on  the  26th  of  November, 
1836.  His  father,  Milton"  Morey,  is  a  native  of  this  Sfcate, 
and  was  formerly  a  tanner.  At  present  he  is  engaged  in 
farming  at  Yanckton,  Dacotah  Territory.  His  mother,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Eve  Bamhart,  died  some  years  ago.  She 
also  was  a  native  of  this  State. 

Young  Morey,  though  brought  up  on  a  farm,  managed 
to  obtain  a  very  thorough  common-school  education.  So  far 
advanced  was  he  after  teaching  a  couple  winters,  that  in 
September,  1857,  he  was  sufficiently  qualified  to  enter  the 
sub-senior  class  in  the  State  Normal  School  at  Albany,  and, 
in  July  following,  he  graduated  with  distinction.  The  three 
years  subsequent  to  his  graduation  he  spent  in  teaching, 
meeting  with  a  success  far  beyond  his  anticipations.  His 
fitness  for  tliis  honorable  occupation  was  fully  demonstrated 
by  his  brief  career  as  an  educator,  but  he  chose  to  follow  a 
different  path.  In  May,  1861,  he  was  married  to  Miss 
Laura  Sweet,  and  from  that  time  until  about  three  years 
ago,  he  followed  the  not  less  honorable  pursuit  of  farming. 
Since  1871,  he  been  engaged  in  the  nursery  business,  which 
is  his  present  occupation.  In  all  his  efforts  Mr.  Morey  has 
developed  a  high  order  of  ability,  and  shown  that  he  posses- 
ses sufficient  judgment  and  native  shrewdness  to  enable 
him  to  fill  successfully  almost  any  position  in  life. 

Always  a  Republican  of  the  straightest  sort,  Mr.  Morey 
has  been  active  in  politics  since  a  very  early  age,  and,  being 
a  life-long  resident  of  Dansville,  he  enjoys  the  unlimited 


Francis  Murray.  255 

confidence  and  esteem  of  the  citizens  of  that  locality. 
Being  a  leading  Republican,  and  a  man  whose  integrity  and 
ability  are  beyond  question,  he  has  frequently  been  called 
upon  to  fill  important  offices.  In  1863,  he  was  nominated 
with  great  unanimity  by  his  party  convention  to  represent 
his  county  in  the  Assembly,  and  was  elected  by  a  majority 
of  ]6  over  Alonzo  Bradner,  a  popular  Democrat.  The 
next  year  he  was  re-elected  by  a  majority  of  98  over  George 
D.  Lord.  Last  fall  his  majority  over  Hezekiah  Allen 
was  1197.  These  figures  need  no  comment.  They  show, 
conclusively,  that  Mr.  Mobey  has  grown  rapidly  in  popular 
regard.  Besides  his  Assembly  service,  Mr.  Morey  has  served 
as  President  of  the  village  of  Dansville,  an  office  to  which 
he  was  elected  in  1871,  and  was  also  a  delegate  to  the  Repub- 
lican national  convention,  held  in  Philadelphia  in  1872. 
While  his  career  in  the  Assembly  is  characterized  by  no 
extraordinary  features,  his  record  at  the  close  of  the  session 
will  compare  well  with  that  of  any  other  member.  He  fully 
appreciates  the  duties  which  devolve  upon  him,  and  performs 
those  duties  with  fidelity  and  efficiency.  He  is  a  member  of 
no  church,  but  makes  it  a  rule  to  help  all  of  them 
financially. 


FRANCIS  MURRAY. 


Mr.  Murray  is  a  sharp  and  active  young  politician  of  the 
metropolis,  representing  the  Twelfth  District  of  New  York. 
This  is  his  first  appearance  in  legislative  life,  but  he  shows 
ability  and  aptitude  in  the  performance  of  his  duties,  and  is 
popular  with  all.  He  was  elected  by  the  Tammany  Demo- 
crats and  Liberals,  receiving  a  plurality  of  551,  the  opposing 
candidates  being  0.  H.  Southworth,  Republican,  and  Joseph 
A.  Lyons,  Apollo  Hall.  Though  quite  a  young  man,  he  is 
quite  well  known  in  New  York  city,  and  is  a  Clerk  of  the 


266  Life  Sketches. 

Second  District  Court.  He  was  born  in  New  York  city, 
April  22,  1846;  his  parents,  who  are  still  living,  being 
natives  of  Ireland.  Educated  in  the  common  schools  of  the 
metropolis,  he  is  well  posted  in  all  that  goes  to  qualify  a  man. 
for  active  life.  In  religio'is  faith  he  is  Episcopalian,  and  in 
private  as  well  as  public  life  he  is  known  as  an  estimable 
and  upright  citizen. 


JOHN  NICE. 


Mr.  Nice  is  a  resident  of  Grand  Island,  and  was  elected 
from  the  Fourth  district  of  Erie  county.  He  was  born 
October  15,  1813,  in  Kindenheim,  Khenish  Bavaria.  He 
therefore  ranks  among  the  older  members  of  the  House. 
His  parents,  who  were  also  born  in  Kindenheim,  emigrated 
to  this  country  in  1836,  settling  upon  a  farm  in  Erie  county. 

Young  Nice  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  and 
brought  up  on  the  paternal  farm,  which  he  continued  to 
manage  for  some  years  after  his  father  died.  Finally,  he 
became  a  heavy  dealer  in  wood  and  timber,  and  gave  up 
agriculture. 

He  has  generally  felt  a  warm  interest  in  politics,  and  exer- 
cises considerable  influence  among  his  countrymen,  who  con- 
stitute a  large  proportion  of  the  population  of  that  section 
of  the  State.  He  has  been  a  Republican  since  the  party  was 
organized,  and  before  that  was  a  Whig.  His  almost  life-long 
residence  in  Erie  county,  and  his  active  participation  in  its 
politics,  have  rendered  him  more  than  ordinarily  deserving 
of  the  numerous  public  positions  he  has  been  called  to  fill. 
He  has  served  four  times  on  the  Board  of  Supervisors,  in 
1853,  1854,  1860  and  1864,  and  each  time  he  bore  himself 
with  credit.  During  three  years  —  from  1861  to  1863  —  he  was 
County  Superintendent  of  the  Poor.    In  1872  he  was  selected 


James  M.  Oakley,  257 

to  represent  his  district  in  the  Assembly,  and  was  chosen  by 
a  majority  of  754,  although  another  German,  George  Zent, 
ran  against  him.  Last  fall  he  was  re-elected  by  a  majority 
of  418  over  Henry  B.  Eldred. 

Mr.  Nice  is  a  man  of  robust,  well-developed  physique. 
His  countenance  indicates  much  decision  of  character, 
blended  with  kindness  of  heart.  He  is  one  of  the  quiet 
members,  but  he  watches  closely  the  progress  of  legislation. 
He  professes  the  Protestant  religion,  was  married  in  1843  to 
Miss  Mary  Ann  Pfizenmeier,  and  is  greatly  respected  in 
the  community  where  he  resides. 


JAMES  M.  OAKLEY. 


Mr.  Oakley  is  now  serving  his  fourth  term  as  the  repre- 
sentative from  the  Second  district  of  Queens  county,  and 
ranks,  in  point  of  continuous  service,  as  the  oldest  Demo- 
cratic member  of  the  present  Legislature.  He  was  born  in 
New  York  city,  on  the  19th  of  June,  1839,  received  a  thor- 
ough academic  education,  and  for  several  years  was  engaged 
in  the  buying  and  selling  of  real  estate.  Latterly  he  has,  in 
a  measure,  retired  from  active  business.  He  now  resides  at 
Jamaica,  Queens  county,  where  he  is  very  popular  among  all 
classes. 

Mr.  Oakley  has  mingled  considerably  in  politics,  and 
enjoys  the  confidence  of  his  party  in  very  large  measure. 
He  was  a  Republican  previous  to  18G4,  but  in  that  year  he 
voted  for  Gen.  McClellan,  and  he  has  since  been  steadily 
identified  with  the  Democratic  party.  No  other  man  in  his 
district  ever  had  the  fortune  to  be  elected  to  the  Assembly 
four  times  in  succession.  In  the  canvass  of  1872  extraordinary 
efforts  were  made  to  defeat  him,  but  he  received  a  majority  of 
141  over  Theodore  J.  Cogswell,  Republican,  and  was  the 
33 


258  Life  Sketches. 

only  Democrat  elected  in  Queens  county.  His  majority  last 
fall  was  895,  Henry  C.  Johksok  running  against  him.  Mr. 
Oakley  is  a  man  of  unusually  prepossessing  appearance 
and  genial  manners.  Well  posted  in  the  routine  of  legisla- 
tion, though  not  a  great  talker,  he  is  an  efficient  and  valuable 
member,  and  much  esteemed  by  all  so  fortunate  as  to  possess 
his  friendship. 

He  has  served  on  the  Committees  on  Eoads  and  Bridges, 
Banks,  Militia,  and  Sub-Committee  of  the  Whole,  and  this 
year  he  is  a  member  of  Commerce  and  Navigation,  Public 
Printing  and  Sub-Committee  of  the  Whole. 

Last  year  his  seat  was  contested  by  Mr.  Cogswell,  but  the 
committee  unanimously  decided  in  favor  of  Mr.  Oakley, 
after  a  thorough  investigation. 


THOMAS  O'CALLAGHAN. 


The  gentleman  representing  the  Nineteenth  district  of  New 
York  possesses  many  excellent  traits  of  character,  and  enjoys 
a  wide  popularity  among  the  working  classes  of  the  metrop- 
olis. He  was  born  in  county  Cork,  Ireland,  in  the  month  of 
March,  1828.  His  father,  now  deceased,  was  a  respectable, 
but  hard-working  mechanic,  and  was  considered  the  best 
scholar  in  the  south  of  Ireland,  his  mind  leaning  toward 
mathematics.  It  is  said  of  him  that  he  solved  the  problem 
of  perpetual  motion,  but  his  health  failing,  he  was  compelled 
to  abandon  the  effort  to  put  his  discovery  to  practical  use. 
Thomas  was  educated  at  home  by  private  teachers,  and  also 
spent  some  time  in  public  schools.  He  learned  his  father's 
trade,  that  of  a  builder.  Coming  to  this  country  at  the  age 
of  21,  he  at  once  established  himself  in  New  York,  and  con- 
ducted business  as  a  contractor  and  builder  up  to  the  year 
1862,  a  period  of  twenty-six  years.    As  a  result,  he  is  now 


Thomas  O'Callaqhan.  259 

the  possessor  of  a  handsome  competence,  earned  by  his  own 
industry. 

Mr.  O'Callaghan  has  been  a  Democrat  all  his  life,  and 
up  to  the  re-organization  of  the  Tammany  society  he  was 
inflexibly  opposed  to  that  powerful  influence  in  New  York 
politics.  Under  the  new  regime,  however,  he  is  known  as  a 
Tammany  Democrat.  In  the  years  1 857  and  1858,  he  held  the 
oflBce  of  Collector  of  the  Revenue,  and  it  is  worthy  of  note 
that  in  the  settlement  of  his  accounts  with  the  government 
at  the  close  of  his  terra,  there  was  a  difference  against  him 
of  precisely  II,  though  very  large  sums  passed  through  his 
hands,  indicating,  we  should  say,  pretty  honest  book-keeping 
on  his  part  In  1865  he  was  elected  Assistant  Alderman  of 
his  ward,  receiving  2,500  majority  over  all  his  opponents. 
He  has  lived  in  the  district  he  represents  nineteen  years,  and 
is  a  heavy  real  estate  owner  therein.  He  has  been  especially 
active  during  several  years  in  providing  homes  for  working- 
men,  on  easy  terms  of  payment.  In  this  way  he  has  disposed 
of  extensive  tracts  of  land  in  the  upper  part  of  the  city.  He 
has  thus  conferred  great  benefit  upon  the  industrial  classes, 
and  by  public-spirited  liberality,  rendered  himself  exceed- 
ingly popular.  His  instincts  and  sympathies  are  all  with  the 
people,  and  opposed  to  aristocratic  monopolies.  In  the 
recent  canvass  he  was  elected  by  a  majority  of  390,  over 
Alexander  Martin,  who  was  supported  by  the  Republicans 
and  Apollo  Hall  Democrats.  In  1872  he  was  also  a  candidate 
for  the  Assembly,  but  was  defeated  by  the  Republican  candi- 
date, who  received  a  plurality  of  348. 


360  Life  Sketches, 


JOHN  J.  PARRY. 


John  J.  Parry,  representing  the  Third  district  of  Oneida 
county,  may  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  "solid  men''  of  that 
county,  in  a  physical  as  well  as  financial  and  social  sense.  He 
is,  we  should  judge,  one  of  the  heaviest  men  in  the  House, 
and  is  a  splendid  picture  of  vitality  and  health.  He  was 
born  in  Trenton,  Oneida  county,  on  the  4th  of  September, 
1827,  and  is  the  son  of  Joh:n"  J.  Parry,  a  native  of  Merio- 
nethshire, North  Wales,  who  was  a  farmer  both  in  Wales  and 
in  this  country,  and  died  in  Oneida  county  in  1864,  at  an 
advanced  age.  Our  subject  was  twice  married,  being  united 
to  Sarah  M.  Wilber  at  Hamilton,  N.  Y.,  June  27,  1855. 
Her  death  occurred  December  9,  1863,  and  he  was  married 
to  Caroline  L.  Cadwell,  at  Rome,  on  the  17th  of  February, 
1870. 

Mr.  Parry  received  a  good  academic  education,  and  dur- 
ing his  busy  life  he  has  been  engaged  in  several  active  occu- 
pations. He  is  a  master  mason,  builder  and  contractor,  but 
is  also  largely  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  brick,  lime  and 
plaster,  and  also  of  straw  wrapping  paper.  In  all  his  busi- 
ness undertakings  he  displays  the  qualities  of  energy  and 
persistence  in  an  unusual  degree,  and  in  all  of  them,  we 
believe,  he  has  been  successful.  At  all  events  he  is  in  com- 
fortable circumstances  as  the  result  of  his  exertions,  and  that 
is  usually  regarded  as  the  test  of  success. 

In  politics  Mr.  Parry  is  a  Eepublican,  and  he  has  been  an 
active  worker  in  that  party  since  its  organization.  He  has 
not  always  remained  in  the  ranks,  however,  though  never  a 
seeker  after  political  preferment.  In  the  case  of  men  of  his 
abilities  and  standing  it  is  usually  the  office  that  seeks  the 
man.  During  nine  years  commencing  January  1,  1858,  he 
filled  the  office  of  County  Treasurer  of  Oneida,  and  it  may 
be  remarked,  in  view  of  the  era  of  defalcation  now  passing 


Matthew  Fatten.  261 

over  the  land,  that  not  a  dollar  of  the  hundreds  of  thousands 
which  passed  through  his  hands  was  unaccounted  for.  He 
was  also  Assessor  of  Internal  Revenue  during  the  three  years 
preceding  the  abolition  of  the  office  in  1873.  In  all  the 
public  positions  in  which  he  has  been  placed,  he  has  ever 
shown  a  conscientious  regard  for  the  interests  of  the  public, 
and  an  ability  fully  equal  to  every  duty  he  has  been  called 
upon  to  perform. 

He  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  by  a  majority  of  284  over 
Harvey  S.  Bedell,  and  serves  on  the  Committees  on  State 
Prisons,  Civil  Divisions  and  Engrossed  Bills. 

In  religious  belief  he  is  a  Presbyterian,  and  in  his  social 
relations  he  is  genial,  kind-hearted  and  conscientious,  possess- 
ing the  respect  and  confidence  of  his  fellow-citizens. 


MATTHEW  PATTEN. 


Mr.  Patten  represents  the  Sixth  New  York  District,  and 
IS  an  extremely  popular  young  Democrat  of  the  Thirteenth 
Ward.  He  was  born  in  New  York  city  on  the  15th  of  Feb- 
ruary, 1833.  His  father,  Martin  Patten,  now  deceased, 
was  a  sawyer  by  occupation,  and  a  native  of  Ireland.  The 
subject  of  our  sketch  was  educated  in  the  public  schools 
during  his  early  years  ;  when  old  enough,  however,  he  was 
apprenticed  to  a  boat-builder,  and  learned  the  trade  in  all  its 
branches.  As  soon  as  he  was  out  of  his  time  he  went  to 
Savannah,  Ga.  He  arrived  there  at  three  o'clock  in  the 
morning,  and  before  seven  o'clock  he  had  engaged  a  small 
shop  along  shore,  and  started  business.  He  remained  in 
Savannah  with  the  exception  of  an  interval  of  time  spent  in 
New  York,  between  two  and  three  years.  He  finally  returned 
to  New  York,  and  permanently  established  himself  in  the 


262  Life  Sketches. 

metropolis.  After  a  few  years  he  abandoned  boat-building, 
and  has  since  been  a  ship-caulker.  About  twenty-two  years 
ago  he  was  married  to  Mary  0.  Hin"CKLEY,  also  of  New 
York.  On  the  7th  of  September,  1863,  Mr.  Pattei^"  was 
commissioned  Second-Lieutenant  in  the  93d  Regiment  of 
the  New  York  Volunteers  by  Governor  Seymour,  but  he  was 
not  sworn  in  until  February  2d,  1864,  and  after  a  brief  period 
of  active  service  he  resigned  in  consequence  of  ill-health. 

Mr.  Patten  has  always  been  known  as  a  consistent  and 
active  Democrat,  of  the  Tammany  persuasion.  He  has  not 
been  in  the  habit  of  seeking  office,  but  he  has  several  times 
held  responsible  positions  in  the  gift  of  his  party.  In  1863 
he  was  a  health  warden,  and  about  that  time,  also,  he  was 
nominated  for  school  trustee,  but  declined  the  honor.  In 
1869  he  was  Clerk  in  the  Surrogate's  Court.  Every  year,  for 
several  years  past,  he  has  been  regularly  offered  the  Assembly 
nomination  by  the  Sixth  District  convention,  but  until  last 
fall  he  persisted  in  declining  the  honor.  The  pressure  became 
so  strong  that  he  felt  compelled  to  accept,  and  the  fact  that 
he  was  elected  by  a  majority  three  times  greater  than  that 
usually  given  in  his  district,  indicates  better  than  any  words 
of  ours,  what  the  people  think  of  his  merits.  Two  candi- 
dates were  in  the  field  against  him,  Daniel  F.  Crowley, 
Republican,  and  Edward  A.  Blake,  Apollo  Hall,  but  he 
was  successful  by  a  plurality  of  1,541. 

Mr.  Patten  is  quite  a  favorite  among  those  who  know 
him.  He  is  a  gentleman  of  social  instincts  and  agreeable 
manners,  in  the  full  vigor  of  manhood,  possessing  fine  personal 
qualities,  agreeable,  courteous,  and  refined,  thoroughly  post'^d 
in  all  that  pertains  to  his  duties,  and  may  be  regarded  as  one 
of  the  most  efficient  members  of  the  New  York  delegation. 


Elam  Persons.  363 


ELAM  PERSONS. 


Mr.  Persons,  who  represents  the  First  district  of  Jeffersou 
county,  was  born  in  Somers,  Tolland  county,  Connecticut, 
August  2,  1809.  His  father,  Samuel  Persons,  was  also  a 
native  of  Connecticut,  but  he  removed  to  New  York  State  a 
few  years  after  his  marriage,  and  died  in  1859  at  the  age  of 
92.  Mr.  Persons  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of 
this  State,  and  learned  the  trade  of  a  wheelwright,  which  he 
followed  until  about  the  year  1852,  when  he  purcliased  a  farm 
in  the  town  of  Ellisburgh,  and  has  managed  it  up  to  the 
present  time  with  a  remarkable  degree  of  success.  At  an 
early  age  he  became  identified  with  the  old  Whig  party,  and 
steadily  adhered  to  its  fortunes  until  it  was  dissolved;  since 
that  event  he  has  as  steadily  acted  with  the  Republican  party, 
taking  a  very  active  part  in  the  details  of  local  organization, 
being,  in  fact,  the  pillar  of  the  Republican  party  in  his  sec- 
tion. His  first  advent  in  public  affairs  was  in  1847,  when  he 
was  made  Collector  of  the  town  of  Ellisburgh,  and  served  one 
year.  In  1862  he  was  elected  Highway  Commissioner,  and 
remained  in  office  continuously  for  nine  years.  In  the  fall 
of  1872  his  friends  and  neighbors  determined  upon  his  pro- 
motion, and  after  receiving  the  unanimous  nomination  of 
his  Assembly  district  convention,  he  was  elected  by  the  flat- 
tering majority  of  1,587,  over  Alexander  Dickinson,  a 
Liberal  Republican  supported  by  Democrats.  Last  fall  he 
was  elected  over  George  W.  Green  by  a  majority  of  720. 
Mr.  Persons  has  been  married  twice,  his  first  wife  being 
Eliza  McNitt,  whom  he  married  in  1833,  and  his  second, 
Chloe  E.  Ketchum,  married  in  1855,  and  still  living.  Mr. 
Persons  is  a  plain,  blunt  man  of  action,  with  kindly  dispo- 
sition and  pleasant  manners.  In  religious  faith  he  is  evan- 
gelical. He  is  kind  and  charitable  to  the  deserving  poor, 
temperate  and  yirtuous  in  his  habits,  and  frugal  and  indus- 


Ji(34  Life  Sketches, 

trions  in  his  mode  of  life.  During;  his  career  in  the  Legisla- 
ture he  has  expended  very  little  energy  in  words,  but  is 
always  in  his  seat,  and  performs  his  legislative  duty  with 
diligence  and  judgment. 


ISTATHAN  D.  PETTY. 


Mr.  Petty  is  a  prosperous  and  influential  lawyer  of  River- 
head,  Suffolk  county.  This  is  his  first  experience  in  the 
Assembly,  but  he  is  well  known  to  the  bar  of  the  State,  and 
to  the  entire  community  in  his  section,  as  a  man  of  splendid 
ability  and  a  wide-awake  politician.  He  was  born  at  Good- 
ground,  Suffolk  county,  on  the  6th  of  January,  1842,  and  is 
therefore  still  quite  a  young  man.  His  parents,  Charles 
and  Harriet  Petty,  are  both  living.  His  ancestors  were 
American  for  two  or  three  generations  back,  but  they  were 
originally  English  in  both  branches.  His  father  is  a  farmer, 
and  owns  a  valuable  estate  at  Goodground.  In  1857  young 
Petty  entered  Sanborn  ton  Bridge  Seminary,  N".  H.,  and 
remained  one  year.  Afterward  he  spent  a  term  at  Port 
Edward  Institute,  and  also  a  year  at  Eastman's  Business 
College  in  Poughkeepsie,  and  deeming  himself  fully  qualified, 
he  entered  Princeton  College  in  1860,  graduating  therefrom 
in  June,  1865.  In  1864,  while  a  student  at  Princeton,  he 
obtained  leave  of  absence  from  the  Faculty,  and  stumped 
the  States  of  New  York  and  New  Jersey  in  the  Presidential 
canvass,  making  numerous  exceedingly  effective  speeches  for 
the  Republican  cause.  He  has  also  spoken  in  most  of  the 
campaigns  since  that  time,  and  in  this  respect  his  service  to 
the  party  has  been  invaluable.  After  graduating  from 
Princeton  with  high  honors,  Mr.  Petty  entered  the  Albany 
Law  School,  from  which  he  graduated  in  the  following  year, 
and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  of  the  State,   in  May,  1866. 


Nathan  D.  Petty.  265 

He  commenced  practicing  at  Goodground  the  same  year,  but 
that  locality  not  affording  sufficient  field  for  his  talents,  he 
removed  to  Riverhead,  his  present  place  of  residence,  in  1868. 
He  has  been  eminently  successful  in  his  profession,  and  is 
now  enjoying  a  large  and  constantly  increasing  practice. 

Mr.  Petty  has  been  a  Republican  all  his  life,  and  from  a 
very  early  age  was  actively  engaged  in  politics.  Never  but 
once,  however,  has  he  held  public  office  previous  to  his  elec- 
tion to  the  Assembly.  In  1869  he  was  appointed  Assistant 
Assessor  of  Internal  Revenue  for  Suffolk,  and  held  the  posi- 
tion until  May,  1873,  when  the  office  was  abolished.  In  the 
late  canvass  he  ran  against  Wilsox  J.  Terry,  the  Demo- 
cratic nominee,  and  Edward  Y.  Reeve,  Prohibition,  and 
was  elected  by  what  was,  in  proportion  to  the  votes  polled,  the 
largest  majority  ever  given  to  a  candidate  in  Suffolk  county. 
His  majority  over  Terry  was  1,285,  and  over  both  Terry 
and  Reeve,  1,199.  The  total  vote  was  6,385.  The  Republi- 
can majority  in  the  district  the  previous  year  was  1,302,  but 
the  total  vote  was  8,390.  The  fact  indicates  clearly  the  esti- 
mation in  which  Mr.  Petty  is  held  by  his  constituents. 

Mr.  Petty's  personal  appearance  is  very  striking,  and, 
indeed,  he  may  be  regarded  as  one  of  the  good-looking 
Members  of  the  House.  His  finely  proportioned  form,  pale, 
but  expressive  countenance,  well  moulded  features,  and  coal- 
black  eyes  and  hair,  make  up  an  outward  individuality 
which  would  attract  attention  anywhere.  He  is  also  an 
excellent  speaker,  and,  whether  it  be  on  the  political  stump, 
in  a  court  of  law  or  on  the  floor  of  the  Assembly  Chamber, 
he  is  equally  at  home  in  the  delivery  of  those  short  and 
pointed  speeches  which  seem  to  exactly  cover  the  point  at 
issue,  and  carry  conviction  with  them.  His  language  is 
invariably  chaste  and  well  chosen,  and  his  views  are  generally 
sound.  His  oratorical  efforts  are  therefore  quite  effective. 
He  is  not,  however,  noted  for  "  much  speaking,"  and  when 
he  does  rise  to  address  the  House,  it  is  usually  upon  the  spur 
or  inspiration  of  the  moment. 
34 


266  Life  Sketches. 

In  religious  faith  and  conviction,  Mr.  Petty  is  a  Congre- 
gationalist.  His  private  character  is,  in  all  respects,  irre- 
proachable, and  he  is  .greatly  respected  in  the  community 
where  he  resides.  He  was  married  June  29,  1865,  to 
Cornelia  Eaimak,  daughter  of  William  Raiman,  of 
Newtown,  L.  I. 


GEORGE  W.  PHILLIPS. 


The  records  of  the  last  Assembly  show  that  Cortland 
county  was  represented  in  that  body  by  Mr.  George  W. 
Phillips.  The  same  records  also  evince  that  Mr.  Phillips 
was  faithful  in  his  attendance,  and  in  the  performance  of  his 
duties  as  a  legislator,  that  while  he  did  not  officiously  obtrude 
himself  upon  the  attention  of  the  House,  he  was  always 
watchful  of  its  proceedings  and  ready  upon  suitable  occasions 
to  vindicate  what  he  considered  right,  and  oppose  what  he 
deemed  to  be  wrong.  Courteous  in  debate,  logical  in  his 
arguments,  concise  and  clear  in  his  language,  and  sensible  in 
his  views,  he  rarely,  if  ever,  failed  whenever  he  spoke  to  attract 
the  attention  of  the  House.  His  labors  as  a  member  of  the 
Committee  on  Literature  were  appreciated  by  his  compeers 
and  by  those  in  whose  behalf  they  were  performed.  Before 
the  close  of  the  session  leading  Republicans  in  different 
parts  of  the  county  began  to  express  to  each  other  appro- 
bation of  his  course,  and  to  propose  the  inquiry  whether  it 
would  not  be  for  the  reputation  of  the  county,  and  for  the 
interest  of  the  Republican  party  in  it,  to  drop  the  single-term 
system  which  had  thus  far  almost  uniformly  prevailed,  and 
for  once,  at  least,  honor  the  custom  in  its  breach  rather  than 
its  observance.  No  member  had  been  elected  for  two  con- 
secutive years  since  1823.  The  idea  of  sending  him  back  to 
Albany  in  1874  continued  to  prevail  in  the  county  and  cul- 
minated at  the  county  convention,  in  his  re-nomination  on 


George  W,  Phillips.  267 

the  first  ballot.  His  triumphant  re-election  followed  as  a 
matter  of  course. 

He  was  born  in  Onondaga,  December  18,  1823.  At  the 
age  of  seventeen  he  came  to  Homer,  where  he  supplemented 
a  good  common-school  education  by  a  thorough  course  of 
study  in  Cortland  Academy.  As  a  teacher  and  a  Town 
Superintendent,  he  made  available  and  useful  the  literary 
culture  thus  acquired.  In  1850  he  became  a  resident  of 
Homer,  where  he  still  resides.  As  a  merchant  of  enterprise 
and  integrity,  a  trustee  of  Cortland  Academy  for  several 
years,  a  member  of  the  Village  Board,  and  a  Supervisor  for 
the  nine  years  subsequent  to  1860,  he  acquired  and  main- 
tained the  confidence  and  respect  of  his  fellow-townsmen. 

He  was  chosen  by  the  Board  of  Supervisors  a  member  of 
the  Volunteer  Bounty  Committee,  and  held  that  position, 
most  of  the  time  as  Chairman,  during  its  entire  existence. 
His  services  on  this  committee  arc  regarded  as  having  been 
of  great  value  to  the  county  and  to  the  Federal  cause.  His 
knowledge  of  the  details  of  the  duties  devolving  upon  him 
was  thorough,  and  his  judgment  was  much  respected.  His 
clear  perception  of  the  principles  involved,  his  retentive 
memory  of  the  facts  in  each  case,  and  his  uniform  readiness 
to  meet  all  the  demands  made  by  it  upon  his  time  and  atten- 
tion, fully  justified  the  successive  Boards  of  Supervisors  in 
retaining  his  services  upon  th6  committee.  In  politics  he 
was  a  Whig  until  the  formation  of  the  Republican  party,  in 
which  he  took  an  early  and  active  part.  He  has  remained 
an  earnest  worker  in  that  party. 

In  the  present  Assembly  he  seiwes  as  Chairman  of  En- 
grossed Bills,  and  member  of  Education  and  Two-thirds  and 
Three-fifths  Bills.  He  has  the  reputation  of  being  one  of 
the  most  industrious  members  of  the  House,  and  during  the 
present  session  he  has  been  distinguished  for  his  efibrte  in 
behalf  of  economy  and  reform. 


268  Life  Sketches, 


EDWAKD  C.  PHILPOT. 


The  gentleman  who  ably  represents  the  First  district  of 
Madison  county  in  the  Assembly  is  Edwakd  0.  Philpot,  a 
native  and  resident  of  the  town  of  Eaton,  in  that  county. 
He  is  of  Protestant- Irish  descent.  His  grand-parents  settled 
in  Eaton  in  1807,  on  the  farm  still  occupied  by  his  mother, 
whose  maiden  name  was  Maky  Tooke,  his  father  having 
died  July  27,  1859.  Mr.  Philpot  was  born  on  November  9, 
1834,  and  he  is,  therefore,  a  little  over  thirty-nine  years  of 
age.  He  was  liberally  educated  in  the  common  schools  and 
at  the  Central  New  York  Conference  Seminary  at  Cazenovia, 
completing  his  study  of  the  ordinary  branches  in  1852. 
During  a  couple  of  years  subsequently  he  taught  school,  but 
entertaining  a  penchant  for  the  legal  profession,  he  read  law 
for  several  years  in  the  office  of  Hon.  Henry  Goodwin"  and 
D.  J.  Mitchell,  of  Hamilton,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar 
in  1856.  He  then  formed  a  partnership  with  Hon.  J.  B. 
Eldridge,  at  Hamilton,  and  practiced  with  fair  success  until 
the  partnership  was  dissolved  in  1859.  During  the  next  two 
years  he  practiced  law  with  Col.  John  T.  Philpot,  his 
brother,  at  Cleveland,  Ohio.  Owing  to  poor  health  he 
finally  returned  to"  Pratt's  Hollow,  however,  and  settled  down 
to  the  occupation  of  farming.  He  also  practices  law,  and  is 
a  Justice  of  the  Peace  of  his  town. 

Mr.  Philpot  has  been  active  and  prominent  in  Madison 
county  politics  for  a  long  period,  having  been  a  delegate  to 
every  county  and  district  convention  for  the  last  ten  or 
twelve  years.  He  has  also  been  a  delegate  to  State  Conven- 
tions, and  as  Supervisor,  Justice  of  the  Peace,  Justice  of 
Sessions,  and  now,  as  member  of  Assembly,  bids  fair  to  per- 
form his  full  share  of  public  service.  Soon  after  his  return 
from  Ohio  he  was  elected  Supervisor  for  the  town  of  Eaton, 
and  served  two  years  in  the  board.    This  was  during  the 


Gardner  Pope.  269 

rebellion,  and  he  rendered  important  aid  in  filling  the  quota 
of  his  town.  In  1864,  he  was  chosen  Justice  of  the  Peace, 
and  has  filled  the  office  ever  since.  In  1867,  he  was  also 
elected  Justice  of  Sessions,  holding  the  office  until  1869.  In 
the  fall  of  1872,  he  received  a  majority  of  1,525  for  the 
Assembly,  P.  Adelbekt  Burdick  being  the  opposing  candi- 
date. Last  fall  he  was  re-elected  member  of  Assembly,  by 
about  1,000  majority,  an  honor  never  conferred  on  any 
previous  member,  he  having  been  renominated  by  acclama- 
tion, the  member  always  rotating  from  town  to  town  until 
this  year.  Mr.  Philpot's  first  vote  was  cast  for  John  C. 
Fkemont  for  President  Since  then  he  has  steadily  labored 
and  voted  for  the  success  of  Republican  principles  and  candi- 
dates. Last  year  Mr.  Philpot  was  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Petitions  of  Aliens,  and  a  member  of  the 
Committee  on  Privileges  and  Elections.  This  year  he  is 
Chairman  of  Agriculture  and  member  of  Civil  Divisions, 
fle  is  a  bachelor,  and  weighs  200  pounds. 


GARDNER  POPE. 


The  Essex  district,  which  is  usually  Republican,  having 
been  represented  during  two  years  past  by  Franklin  W. 
ToBEY,  now  Senator,  sends  a  Democrat  this  year  in  the  per- 
son of  Gardner  Pope,  a  well*  known  business  man  and 
manufacturer  of  that  section.  Mr.  Pope  is  a  native  of  Essex 
county,  and  was  born  in  Keeseville,  September  11,  1838. 
His  father,  Martin  Pope,  was  a  native  of  Saratoga  county, 
but  he  removed  to  Keeseville  at  the  age  of  25,  and  until  the 
panic  of  1837  was  extensively  engaged  in  the  lumber  busi- 
ness, being  one  of  the  first  settlers  in  Essex  county.  Mr. 
Pope,  the  subject  of  this  sketch,  is  well  educated,  having 
accomplished  the  full  English  course  in  Keeseville  Academy. 


270  Life  Sketches, 

At  an  early  age  he  removed  to  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  engaged 
in  a  mercantile  business,  but  the  financial  crisis  of  1857 
rendered  it  unremunerative,  and  he  returned  to  his  native 
place.  Since  then  he  has  been  in  the  iron  business,  at  Ausa- 
ble  Forks. 

Mr.  Pope  has  always  been  a  Democrat.  During  five  con- 
secutive years  —  from  1862  to  1867  —  he  represented  the  town 
of  Jay  in  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  Last  year  he  was  again 
re-elected,  and  he  is  now  a  member  of  the  board,  the  earnest 
and  conscientious  manner  in  which  he  performs  his  duties 
securing  him  the  approval  of  men  of  both  parties.  In  the 
Assembly  canvass  Mr.  Pope  received  51  majority  over  James 
W.  Steele,  his  Republican  opponent,  overcoming  a  Repub- 
lican majority  the  preceding  year  of  nearly  2,000,  and  being 
the  first  Democrat  elected  in  40  years.  This  demonstrates 
his  home  popularity  beyond  cavil. 

Mr.  Pope  is  an  able  and  attentive  legislator,  and  will  make 
a  good  record.  He  has  never  made  a  public  profession  of 
religion,  but  his  family  are  Presbyterians.  He  was  married 
on  the  10th  of  July,  1872,  to  Miss  BEiSBiiq",  of  Old  Saratoga. 


SETH  G.  POPE. 


The  most  casual  visitor  to  the  Assembly  chamber  would 
scarcely  fail  to  notice  the  tall  and  striking  form  of  the  member 
from  Ogdensburgh.  He  i^  head  and  shoulders  above  the 
average  of  men  in  height,  and  his  face,  in  which  are  strongly 
marked  lines  of  character,  is  set  in  a  flowing  iron-gray 
beard.  He  gives  the  impression  at  once  that  he  is  a  man  of 
much  ability,  force  of  character,  and  tenacious  purpose,  and 
it  is  but  just  to  observe  that  acquaintance  strengthens  such 
an  impression. 

Seth  Griswold  Pope  was  born  in  Great  Barrington, 
Berkshire  county,  Mass.,  on  the  14th  of  December,  1819. 


Seth  Q.  Pope.  271 

His  father,  Ebenezer  Pope,  a  native  of  Connecticut, 
moved  in  early  life  to  Berkshire  county,  Mass.,  where  he 
lived  until  his  death  in  1842,  at  the  age  of  68,  and  was  a  man 
of  sterling  worth  and  integrity.  He  was  a  Democrat  of  the 
Jeffersonian  school,  and  as  such  represented  his  town  several 
terms  in  the  State  Legislature.  His  mother's  maiden  name 
was  Zady  Prindle.  She  was  widely  known  as  a  woman  of 
exalted  Christian  faith  and  character,  remarkable  alike  for 
her  kindly  and  loving  disposition  and  large  charity.  She 
died  in  1863,  at  the  age  of  84,  leaving  a  large  family,  the 
youngest  of  whom  is  the  subject  of  our  sketch.  Mr.  Pope 
enjoyed  rather  limited  educational  advantages  during  his 
youth,  though  he  obtained  some  instruction  in  a  common 
school.  Previous  to  his  majority,  he  served  four  years  at  the 
carpenter  and  joiners'  trade,  having  charge  of  part  of  his 
employers'  business  before  his  term  expired.  At  the  age  of 
twenty-two  he  commenced  business  for  himself.  During  the 
eight  years  following,  he  built  some  of  the  best  buildings  in 
southern  Berkshire,  as  well  as  several  railroad  bridges.  He 
removed  to  Ogdensburgh  in  1850,  and  engaged  in  the  manu- 
facture of  doors,  sashes,  blinds,  and  similar  articles.  This 
business  he  still  successfully  continues  at  Ogdensburgh. 
Since  he  has  resided  in  Ogdensburgh.  however,  he  has  also 
been  extensively  engaged  as  a  contractor,  among  his 
numerous  works  of  magnitude  being  a  portion  of  the  new 
reservoir  in  Central  Park,  New  York,  and  several  grain 
warehouses  and  elevators  in  Canada.  For  some  years  he  has 
been  general  agent  for  the  King  Iron  Bridge  Company  in 
the  eastern  states,  where  he  is  well  known.  He  is  also 
engaged  in  the  hardware  business  in  Ogdensburgh.  In  all 
his  multifarious  enterprises  he  has  been  uniformly  successful, 
and  enjoys  wide  repute  for  strict  integrity,  rare  business 
sagacity,  and  indomitable  energy. 

In  early  life  Mr.  Pope  was  a  Free  Soil  Democrat,  but  he 
was  one  of  the  first  to  enlist  in  the  Kepublican  ranks,  and 
he  has  since  been  a  strong  supporter  of  the  principles  of  that 


272  Life  Sketches. 

organization.  He  was  the  first  Eepublican  President  of  the 
Tillage  of  Ogdensburgh,  and  during  the  years  1863,  1864 
and  1865,  he  represented  the  town  of  Oswegatchie  in  the 
Board  of  Supervisors.  He  invariably  carries  into  every 
public  position  the  same  qualities  which  govern  his  con- 
duct as  a  business  man,  and  in  him,  therefore,  the  people 
have  a  clear-headed  and  capable  representative.  He  was 
elected  to  the  Assembly  by  a  majority  of  1,582  over  Edwii^ 
G.  Dodge,  and  serves  on  the  Committees  on  Commerce  and 
Navigation,  and  Manufacture  of  Salt. 

Mr.  Pope  has  been  twice  married.  His  first  wife  was 
Isabella  M.  Carter  of  Whitesboro,  Oneida  county.  She 
died  in  1857,  leaving  one  child.  In  1870  he  married  Mrs. 
H.  C.  Chapin",  daughter  of  B.  F.  Haskell,  of  West  Corn- 
wall, Vt.  The  result  of  this  marriage  is  one  son  and  one 
daughter. 


L.  BRADFORD  PRINCE. 


In  view  of  his  four  years'  record  as  a  legislator,  his  emi- 
nence in  the  legal  profession,  his  prominence  in  literature 
and  politics,  and  his  honorable  connection  with  societies  and 
institutions  of  learning,  Mr.  Prince  may  be  regarded  as  one 
of  the  prominent  men  of  our  State.  A  finely  cultivated 
gentleman,  a  thorough  scholar,  a  brilliant  and  forcible 
speaker,  and  a  man  of  decided  and  advanced  opinions  in 
most  departments  of  thought,  he  is  well  qualified  to  maintain 
a  leading  position  in  a  legislative  body  —  such  as  the  present 
one  —  which  practically  recognizes  no  leader.  Mr.  Pri:n^ce 
was  born  in  Flushing,  his  present  place  of  residence,  on  the 
3d  of  July,  1840.  He  is  a  lineal  descendant  of  Gov.  Wm. 
Bradford,  of  Plymouth,  one  of  the  "  Men  of  the  May- 
flower," and  inherits  many  of  the  sturdy  virtues  of  his 
Puritan  ancestry.    Both  his  grandfather  and  his  great-grand- 


L,  Bradford  Prince.  273 

father,  on  the  maternal  side,  were  Governors  of  Rhode 
Island,  and,  on  the  paternal  side,  he  comes  of  the  well  known 
Prince  family,  of  horticultural  fame.  After  spending  much 
of  liis  youth  in  South  Carolina  and  Florida  in  search  of 
health,  he  was  engaged,  for  a  short  time,  in  horticultural 
pursuits  at  Fhishing,  but  his  tastes  leading  him  to  the  law, 
he  entered  Columbia  Law  School,  from  which  he  graduated 
with  the  highest  honors,  receiving  the  $200  prize  in  Political 
Science.  In  1868  he  was  complimented  by  being  chosen 
as  the  Alumni  orator,  and  is  now  President  of  the  Alumni 
Association  of  the  Law  School.  As  a  lawyer  he  stands 
high,  being  a  clear  and  incisive  reasoner,  and  possessing  rare 
ability  as  an  advocate.  He  indulges  in  very  little  fanciful 
rhetoric,  relying  mainly  upon  carefully  presented  facts  and 
well  digested  deductions  therefrom. 

Mr.  Prince's  political  career  reaches  over  a  period  of 
more  than  sixteen  years,  embracing  the  whole  history  of  the 
Republican  party.  His  interest  in  political  matters  early 
developed  itself,  and  as  long  ago  as  1856  —  in  the  Fremont 
campaign  —  he  was  an  active  writer  and  worker,  receiving  a 
special  vote  of  thanks  from  the  town  club,  of  wliich  he  was 
too  young  to  be  a  member.  In  1860,  though  still  not  a  voter, 
he  acted  as  officer  of  the  local  organization,  delegate,  speaker, 
etc.,  enthusiastically  supporting  the  Lincoln  ticket.  Since 
that  time  he  has  always  been  actively  engaged  in  political 
work,  though  living  in  a  county  where  the  heavy  Democratic 
majority  precluded  all  expectation  of  personal  advancement; 
and,  as  a  political  speaker,  is  well  known  in  many  sections 
of  the  State.  Thirteen  years  ago  he  was  chosen  a  member 
of  the  Republican  Committee  of  Queens  county,  and  has 
been  its  presiding  officer  for  several  years.  He  was  also  a 
delegate  to  the  Chicago  National  Convention  in  1868,  and 
in  the  following  year  a  member  of  the  State  Committee. 
He  was  first  elected  to  the  Assembly  in  1870,  when  he 
received  a  majority  of  1,415,  although  the  district  is  about 
60.0  Democratic 
35 


274  Life  Sketches. 

Mr.  Pkince's  popularity,  in  fact,  has  never  been  bounded 
by  party  lines,  men  of  all  shades  of  political  belief  recogniz- 
ing the  fact  that  his  splendid  abilities  are  available  for  the 
welfare  of  the  whole  people.  Though  not  entirely  unknown 
in  the  State  at  large  when  he  entered  the  Assembly,  his 
talents  commanded  speedy  recognition  in  that  body,  and  his 
skill  as  a  debater  and  his  legislative  efficiency  were  soon 
apparent.  In  the  fall  of  1871  he  was  again  placed  in  nomi- 
nation, and  though  his  opponent  was  the  strongest  Democrat 
in  the  district,  and  a  man  who  had  served  two  ferms  in  the 
Assembly  and  one  in  the  State  Senate,  Mr.  Prince  received 
a  majority  of  1,169.  In  the  fall  of  1872  he  received  the  ex- 
traordinary compliment  of  a  request  for  his  continuance  in 
office,  signed  by  over  2,000  voters,  irrespective  of  party.  He 
was  thereupon  nominated  by  acclamation,  and  elected  with- 
out opposition.  Such  tribute  to  high  personal  character  and 
exceptional  official  fidelity,  is  rarely  extended  to  a  public 
man,  and  all  who  know  Mr.  Prikce  will  readily  admit  that  it 
was  in  every  way  deserved.  Last  fall  he  was  tendered  the 
Senatorial  nomination,  but  he  declined  it  for  reasons  in  the 
highest  degree  honorable  to  him.  He  received  a  unanimous 
renomination  for  the  Assembly,  and  was  elected  by  a  vote  of 
2,424  against  401,  for  his  nominal  opponent,  J.  H.  Wright. 
In  the  ensuing  canvass  for  the  Speakership,  he  was  the  oppo- 
nent of  Mr.  HuSTED  in  the  caucus.  The  contest  was  close 
and  exciting,  but  it  was  conducted  with  entire  good  feeling 
on  both  sides ;  and  though  Mr.  Prin'CE  was  defeated,  it 
furnished  another  proof  of  the  high  estimation  in  which  he 
is  held  by  the  people.  The  fact  that  he  was,  in  an  especial 
sense,  the  candidate  of  those  desiring  purity  and  reform  in 
legislation,  was  exceedingly  creditable  to  him. 

His  service  in  the  Assembly  has  been  an  honorable  one. 
As  Chairman  of  the  Judiciary  Committee  during  this  and 
the  last  two  sessions,  his  labors  have  not  onh^  been  multifari- 
ous and  arduous,  but  exceedingly  valuable  to  the  State.  It 
was  his  province  during  the  winter  of  1872,  to  conduct  the 


L.  Bradford  Prince.  275 

investigation  into  the  official  conduct  of  Judges  Bari^ard, 
Cardozo  and  McCunn.  This  investigation  extended  from 
February  19  to  April  10,  during  which  time  239  witnesses 
were  examined,  and  over  2,400  pages  of  evidence  t^iken.  The 
thoroughness  and  fairness  with  which  the  investigation  was 
prosecuted  secured  tlie  approbation  of  all  parties,  and  its 
results  form  the  brightest  page  in  the  history  of  that  Leg- 
islature. The  verdict  of  the  committee  was  so  evidently 
based  upon  justice  and  evidence,  that  it  met  with  very 
general  acquiescence.  The  report  in  favor  of  impeaching 
two  of  the  judges  and  removing  the  other,  was  adopted 
by  the  House,  and,  in  the  choice  of  managers  to  conduct 
the  impeachment  trial,  which,  as  is  known,  resulted  in  the 
disgrace  of  Judge  Barnard,  Mr.  Prince  received  110  of  the 
113  votes  cast  by  the  House,  the  others  chosen  varying  from 
104  to  50  each.  He  was  also  appointed  to  proceed  to  the 
Senate  and  formally  impeach  Judge  Barnard  at  its  bar,  for 
high  crimes  and  misdemeanors.  He  was  active  in  the 
matter  until  the  trial  closed,  and  it  is  probably  due  to  him 
more  than  any  other  one  man,  that  the  Judiciary  of  the 
State  was  relieved  of  the  disgrace  that  would  have  attended 
Barnard's  retention  on  the  Bench. 

Mr.  Prince  has,  during  his  whole  legislative  career,  been 
the  uncompromising  foe  of  special  legislation.  He  favors 
the  passage  of  no  act  the  object  of  which  can  be  attained 
under  a  general  law,  or  which  can  be  taken  care  of  by  the 
boards  of  supervisors.  As  a  result  of  his  influence  and 
efforts,  the  volume  of  annual  legislation  has  been  materially 
reduced,  to  the  decided  advantage  of  the  State.  In  the  pres- 
ent session,  besides  the  Chairmanship  of  the  Judiciary  Com- 
mittee (which  committee  annually  considers  nearly  400  bills, 
having  <  ver  one-quarter  of  the  legislation  of  the  State 
referred  to  it),  he  is  member  of  the  Committees  on  Ways  and 
Means  and  Rules. 

It  is  not  alone,  however,  in  the  field  of  politics  or  law  that 
Mr.  Prince  has  won  honor  and  fame.    He  is  well  known,  also, 


276  Life'  Sketches. 

as  a  thoughtful  writer  and  lecturer  on  various  topics,  among 
which,  perhaps,  those  relating  to  Legislative  and  Govern- 
mental Reform  have  attracted  the  widest  notice.  Several 
years  ago  he  wrote  a  work  entitled  "E  Pluribus  Unum,  or, 
American  Nationality,"  which  passed  through  several  editions, 
and  was  warmly  commended  by  statesmen  and  political  scien- 
tists. Not  long  since  he  delivered  a  lecture  in  New  York  and 
several  other  cities,  in  which  some  of  the  evils  of  the  present 
system  of  law-making  were  severely  handled.  He  inveighed 
very  strongly,  in  particular,  against  special  and  local  legisla- 
tion, the  bulk  of  which  has  compelled  much  of  the  import- 
ant work  of  every  session  to  be  crudely  and  hastily  performed. 
His  suggestions  attracted  much  attention,  and  some  of  them 
have  been  embodied  in  the  constitutional  amendments  now 
pending.  Mr.  Peince  is  also  a  prominent  member  of  the 
Masonic  fraternity,  having  been  D.  D.  Grand  Master  of 
Queens  and  Suftblk  counties  for  three  terms.  For  ten  years 
he  was  Superintendent  or  Director  of  the  Queens  County 
Agricultural  Society,  and  during  eight  years  has  been  an 
officer  of  the  Long  Island  Historical  Society.  With  all  his 
attainments,  Mr.  Prince  is  a  quiet,  courteous,  unassuming 
gentleman,  strictly  conscientious  in  all  his  dealings  with 
others,  and  it  is  evident  that  still  greater  honors  are  in  store 
for  him  in  the  future. 


TEREENCE  J.  QUINN. 


The  Third  Albany  district  is  this  year  represented  by  one 
of  the  best  known  Democrats  of  the  Capital  city.  Mr. 
QuiNN  has  long  been  prominent  in  Albany  politics,  and  is 
exceedingly  popular  among  the  young  Democrats  of  that 
city.  Being  a  business  man  and  owner  of  a  large  property 
in  Albany,  where  he  is  a  life-long  resident,  he  is  well  quali- 
fied to  represent  its  industrial  and  commercial  interests. 


Terrence  J.  QuiNN,  277 

Terrence  J.  QuiNN  was  born  in  Albany,  October  16, 
1836.  His  parents,  James  and  Ann  Quinn,  both  deceased, 
were  natives  of  county  Langford,  Ireland.  He  was  educated 
in  the  common  schools,  and  in  Albany  Academy.  He  early 
became  identified  with  the  brewing  interests  of  Albany,  in 
which  his  father  was  engaged,  and  has  followed  the  business 
up  to  the  present  time,  being  now  a  member  of  the  brewing 
and  malting  firm  of  Quinn  &  Nolan,  whose  brewery  is  one 
of  the  largest  in  the  city.  In  business  circles,  Mr.  Quinn  is 
known  as  a  man  of  probity  and  integrity,  and  his  word  is  as 
good  as  his  bond  anywhere  in  the  city. 

When  the  late  war  broke  out  Mr.  Quinn  was  among  the 
first  who  volunteered.  He  was  a  lieutenant  in  company  B, 
Twenty-fifth  regiment,  N.  G.  S.  N.  Y.,  and  that  regiment 
was  the  first  that  left  Albany  for  the  front,  in  April,  1861. 
It  was  placed  in  an  important  position  on  Arlington  Heights, 
and  it  was  Lieutenant  Quinn's  fortune  to  capture  the  first 
prisoner  taken  in  the  war,  on  the  morning  when  the  gallant 
Col.  Ellsworth  was  shot  Lieutenant  Quinn  served 
through  the  term  of  three  months  in  front  of  Washington, 
and  was  also  with  the  regiment  during  a  second  three 
months  term  at  a  later  period,  when  it  performed  exceed- 
ingly arduous  service  at  Suffolk,  Va. 

As  we  have  intimated,  Mr.  Quinn  has  long  been  promi- 
nent in  the  local  politics  of  Albany.  He  has  held  several 
positions  of  trust  in  the  gift  of  his  party,  and  frequently 
served  on  General  and  Ward  Committees.  He  has  also  been 
four  times  elected  a  member  of  the  Board  of  Aldermen,  serv- 
ing in  all,  some  seven  years  in  the  board.  In  the  recent 
canvass  a  Republican  of  high  character,  Mr.  Henry  W. 
DwiGHT,  was  placed  in  nomination  against  him,  but  he  de- 
feated him  by  a  majority  of  818,  which,  considering  the  dis- 
couragement incident  to  a  threatened  division  in  the  Demo- 
cratic ranks,  was  doing  remarkably  well.  His  legislative 
career  has  thus  far  been  a  quiet  one.  He  is  not  particularly 
troubled  with  the  oratorical  gift,  but  he  nevertheless  ex- 


278  Life  Sketches. 

presses  himself  freely  and  plainly,  whenever  matters  which 
interest  his  constituents  are  under  discussion.  He  is  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Committees  on  Militia  and  Federal  Relations. 

Mr.  Quii;ri^  was  married  on  the  30th  of  October,  1866,  to 
Antstie  T.  Lawlor.  In  religion  he  is  a  Roman  Catholic. 
Connected  with  several  military  organizations,  and  having 
been  a  member  of  the  Jackson  Corps  since  its  foundation  and 
aiding  it  materially  in  its  success,  a  member  of  different  char- 
itable, literary  and  other  societies,  he  has  scattered  with  a 
.liberal  hand  the  w^ealth  he  has  earned.  He  is  a  man  of  genial 
manners,  generous  instincts  and  numerous  graces  of  character, 
and  possesses  most  of  the  qualities  of  mind  and  heart  which 
win  popularity. 


JAMES   RYAN. 


James  Rya2:T  represents,  for  the  second  time,  ward  seven 
of  New  York  city,  which  constitutes  the  Fourth  Assembly 
district  of  the  metropolis.  He  was  elected  in  1872  by  a 
majority  of  635  over  his  Apollo  Hall  opponent,  JoHJsi"  Gal- 
viK.  Last  fall  his  majority  was  131  over  Charles  Reilly, 
Republican  and  Apollo  Hall.  He  is  of  Irish  descent,  is  an 
inflexible  adherent  of  the  Tammany  wing  of  the  Democracy, 
and  is  a  man  of  social  instincts,  agreeable  manners,  and 
much  ability  as  a  legislator.  Last  year  he  was  a  member 
of  the  Committees  on  Internal  Affairs,  and  Expenditures  of 
the  Executive  Department,  and  this  year  he  is  on  Internal 
Affairs,  and  Sub-Committee  of  the  Whole. 


Jonah  Sanford.  279 


JONAH  SANFORD. 


Jonah  Sanford  was  born  in  Hopkinton,  St.  Lawrence 
county,  New  York,  on  the  24th  of  October,  1821.  In  1847 
he  married  Clarinda  Risdon,  daughter  of  Elisha  Risdon, 
one  of  the  earhest  settlers  of  the  town — a  man  of  sterling  in- 
tegrity and  unimpeachable  character,  and  for  many  years  a 
general  land  agent.  Mr.  Sanford  is  a  son  of  the  late  Judge 
Jonah  Sanford,  a  man  who  deserres  more  than  a  passing 
notice  in  this  sketch.  Judge  Sanford  was  one  of  the  most 
remarkable  men  Northern  New  York  has  ever  known.  He 
was  the  intimate  friend  and  associate  of  such  men  as  Silas 
Wright  and  Preston  King,  and  it  is  but  paying  a  just 
tribute  to  his  memory,  when  we  say,  that  no  man  labored 
more  arduously  and  successfully  for  the  advancement  of  the 
interests  of  his  locality  than  he.  He  was  the  son  of  Hon. 
Benjamin  Sanford  of  Cornwall,  Vermont,  and  was  born 
November  30,  1790.  His  parents  being  poor,  his  early  advan- 
tages were  meagre  indeed,  and  at  the  age  of  twenty  he  started 
westward  with  all  his  possessions  upon  his  back,  and  after 
some  difficulty  selected  a  spot  in  Hopkinton,  where  he  set  to 
work  to  construct  out  of  the  primitive  and  almost  unbroken 
wilderness  a  home.  Here  he  incessantly  toiled,  and  being  a  man 
of  indefatigable  industry  he  succeeded  in  wresting  from 
stubborn  nature  a  fine  homestead  upon  which  h^  resided 
till  his  death,  on  the  25th  of  December,  1867.  Soon  after 
settling  in  Hopkinton,  he  purchased  a  few  text-books  of  law 
and  set  to  work  with  a  heroic  will  for  their  mastery,  and  he  soon 
became  by  his  persistent  energy  quite  proficient  in  the  funda- 
mental principles  of  the  law.  For  many  years  thereafter  he 
was  one  of  the  most  successful,  if  not  one  of  the  ablest  prac- 
titioners of  the  law  in  Northern  New  York.  He  held  many 
important  civic  and  military  positions  ;  was  Justice  of  the 
Peace  and  Supervisor  of  the  town  for  several  years,  Member 


280  Life  Sketches. 

of  the  Legislature,  Judge  of  the  County  Court,  Member  of 
Congi'ess  for  the  unexpired  term  of  the  late  Silas  Weight, 
(when  the  latter  was  elected  Comptroller)  and  a  member  of 
the  Constitutional  Convention  of  1846.  In  the  military 
service  he  began  as  a  volunteer  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  was 
present  at  the  battle  of  Plattsburgh  September  11, 1814.  By 
successive  promotions  he  rose  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier-Gen- 
eral, being  the  successor  in  the  latter  capacity  of  Governor 
Wright.  In  1827  he  was  appointed  a  Commissioner  to  lay 
out,  and  build  the  Port  Kent  Road  through  a  wild  wilderness 
of  fifty  miles,  a  work  of  great  difficulty.  But  the  noblest  effort 
of  his  life  perhaps,  and  by  which  he  will  be  longest  remem- 
bered, was  his  organization,  armament  and  discipline  of  the 
92d  New  York  Regiment  of  Volunteers  when  seventy-one 
years  of  age,  and  which  he  led  as  Colonel  to  the  seat  of  war 
on  the  James.  In  politics  he  was  a  Democrat  till  the  organ- 
ization of  the  Republican  party,  to  which  he  early  united; 
and  its  principles  found  in  him  an  earnest  advocate  and 
steadfast  adherent.  He  was  a  man  of  noble  figure  and  com- 
manding presence,  a  fluent  and  forcible  speaker,  courteous 
in  debate  and  always  yielding  a  point  when  convinced  of  his 
error.  He  was  especially  fond  of  the  society  of  young  men, 
and  exerted  a  great  influence  over  them.  Being  a  man  of 
large  size  and  giant  physical  power,  his  endurance  was  won- 
derful. Once  entered  upon  a  task,  nothing  could  prevent 
its  accomplishment.  His  example  and  worth  as  a  man  will 
be  long  remembered. 

Mr.  Sanford,  the  son,  attended  school  in  the  winters  only 
of  his  boyhood,  and  completed  his  education  in  the  St.  Law- 
rence Academy,  at  Potsdam,  N.  Y.  On  arriving  at  majority, 
he  spent  the  first  four  years  following  as  superintendent  of 
his  father's  farm.  He  then  moved  upon  a  small  farm  of  his 
own,  and  toiled  with  such  perseverance  that  he  was  soon 
able  to  purchase  a  larger  property,  upon  which  he  has  since 
resided,  and  to  which  he  has  added  extensively.  He  also 
turned  his  attention  to  manufacturing  and  speculation,  and 


Jonah  Sanford.  281 

by  the  aid  of  good  judgment  and  management  has  succeeded 
in  accumulating  a  competence.  In  politics  he  was  a  Demo- 
crat up  to  the  organization  of  the  Republican  party,  to 
which  he  early  united,  and  to  which  he  has  steadfastly 
adhered.  His  first  vote  as  a  Republican  was  for  Fremont, 
in  1856.  His  townsmen  have  often  called  him  to  positions  of 
trust,  and  have  always  re-elected  him  by  an  overwhelming 
vote.  In  1862  he  was  appointed  Assistant  Assessor  of  Inter- 
nal Revenue,  by  the  Secretary  of  the  Treasury,  which  position 
he  held  till  the  consolidation  of  the  system,  in  1872.  As  an 
Assessor  he  bore  a  high  reputation  for  his  promptness  in  the 
performance  of  his  duties,  his  faithfulness  to  the  government, 
and  his  exactness  in  the  affairs  of  the  office.  At  the  termina- 
tion of  his  duties,  the  Assessor  thanked  him  in  warm  terms 
for  the  prompt  and  efficient  manner  in  which  he  had  per- 
formed his  duties. 

In  August,  1862,  he  was  appointed  Enrolling  Officer  for  his 
town.  In  1867,  some  eighty  enterprising  and  well-to-do 
farmers  of  the  towns  of  Lawrence,  Hopkinton,  Parish  ville 
and  Dickinson  established  a  union  store.  Mr.  S.  was  and  still 
is  its  President.  Under  his  judicious  management  it  has 
prospered  financially  beyond  expectation. 

He  was  first  elected  Supervisor  of  his  town  in  1868,  and 
has  been  annually  elected  by  a  two-third  majority  ever  since, 
being  the  first  wlio  has  held  the  position  for  more  than  two 
years  in  succession.  The  fact  that  he  has  been  each  time 
opposed  by  a  Republican  (except  last  year,  when  he  had  no 
opposition),  speaks  well  for  his  performance  of  the  duties  of 
the  trust.  Mr.  S.  is,  at  the  present  time,  a  Vice-President 
of  the  St.  Lawrence  County  Agricultural  Society,  and  also  a 
Director  of  the  Raquette  Valley  Agricultural  Society. 

He  was  the  first  man  nominated  in  the  State  last  fall,  and 
the  Courier  and  Freeman  thus  spoke  of  him  at  the  time : 

"  Mr.  S.  is  the  present  Supervisor  of  the  town  of  Hopkinton, 
is  a  son  of  the  late  Judge  Sanford,  is  an  extensive  and  wealthy 
farmer,  an  ardent  Republican,  and  a  judicious,  upright  and  safe 
36 


282  Life  Sketches. 

man.  He  is  the  first  man  nominated  for  the  Assembly,  and  is 
worthy  of  the  vanguardship  in  initiating  the  political  cam- 
paign of  1873.  His  nomination  is  a  significant  omen  of  leg- 
islative purity  and  reform." 

Mr.  SAi^^FORD  is  an  active,  upright  business  man  —  a  man 
of  large  and  varied  experience  —  affable  in  his  manners,  and 
pleasing  in  appearance.  Though  not  of  the  "  talking- 
machine"  class,  he  expresses  his  opinion  when  he  thinks  it 
his  duty,  and  always  to  the  point.  He  is  not  one  of  those 
"  who  wear  their  heart  out  on  their  sleeve,"  but  looks  on  the 
bright  side  of  things  generally.  Few  men  enjoy  with 
keener  relish  tne  pleasure  of  social  intercourse.  He  gives 
freely  to  all  benevolent  and  charitable  purposes,  and  is  a 
thoroughly  public-spirited  man.  All  movements  for  the 
benefit  of  the  public,  or  undertakings  to  alleviate  the  dis- 
tresses of  personal  misfortune  have  his  hearty  support  and 
pecuniary  aid.  Judging  from  his  past  record,  we  bespeak  for 
him  a  successful  career  in  the  new  field  to  which  he  has  been 
chosen  with  such  substantial  unanimity. 


GEORGE  SCHERMAN. 


Mr.  ScHERMAN  represents  the  Eighth  New  York  district, 
which,  until  within  a  year  or  two,  has  been  Democratic.  He 
was  born  in  Germany,  on  the  29th  of  July,  1838,  came  to 
this  country  at  an  early  age,  and  was  married  to  Magdalen" A 
Stoll,  in  New  York,  on  the  4th  of  January,  1869.  He 
received  a  good  common-school  education,  and  learning  the 
trade  of  blacksmith,  followed  that  occupation  a  number  of 
years.  For  the  past  five  years,  however,  he  has  filled  the 
office  of  inspector  of  customs  of  the  port  of  New  York. 
He  has  been  a  Eepublican  since  1856,  and  has  steadily  acted 
with  the  pai'ty,  possessing  a  good  deal  of  influence  among 
his  German  fellow-citizens.     His  seat  in  the  Assembly,  to 


Frederick  Schifferdecker,  283 

which  he  was  chosen  by  a  plurality  of  387,  is  contested  by 
Martin  Nachtmaitn,  a  former  member,  and  Jacob  Mes- 
SER.  Mr.  ScHERMAN"  serves  on  the  Committees  on  Internal 
Affairs,  and  Federal  Relations.  He  is  a  Protestant  in  reli- 
gious belief,  and  though  a  quiet,  undemonstrative  member, 
is  exceedingly  valuable  as  a  working  legislator. 


FREDERICK  SCHIFFERDECKER. 


Mr.  ScHiFPERDECKER,  of  the  first  Albany  district,  is  per- 
haps as  good  a  specimen  of  the  Teutonic  element  in  American 
civilization,  as  we  would  be  apt  to  meet  with  anywhere.  He 
is  a  thorough  German,  but  he  is  Americanized  to  that  extent 
that  he  is  devotedly  attached  to  the  institutions  of  the  new 
world,  and  he  would  resent  as  an  insult  any  intimation  that 
he  is  other  than  a  truly  loyal  citizen  of  the  republic.  No 
one  who  knows  him,  however,  would  venture  to  make  such 
an  intimation,  inasmuch  as  he  has  proved  his  loyalty  and 
right  to  citizenship  upon  more  than  a  score  of  hard-fought 
battle-fields,  and  still  bears  the  scars  of  honorable  service  in 
the  army  of  the  Republic.  He  was  born  in  Baden,  Germany, 
on  the  2d  of  February,  1836,  and  came  to  this  country  when 
only  eleven  years  of  age.  His  grandfather,  Henry  Schif- 
FERDECKER,  was,  during  a  term  of  seven  years,  a  member  of 
the  First  Napoleon's  body  guard,  and  was  a  splendid  speci- 
men of  physical  manhood,  being  over  six  feet  in  height. 
Henry  Schifferdecker,  father  of  the  present  Assembly- 
man, ran  away  from  Baden,  when  the  revolution  broke  out 
in  1848.  He  came  to  this  country  with  his  family,  leaving 
behind  him  extensive  property,  he  being  a  man  of  consider- 
able means. 

Young  Schifferdecker  was  educated  mainly  in  the 
German  common  schools.  After  coming  to  this  country, 
he  went  to  work  in  a  furnace  at  seventy-five  cents  a  week. 


284  Life  Sketches. 

That  sum  would  then  go  much  farther  than  it  does  now,  but 
it  did  not  satisfy  our  hero,  who,  after  helping  George 
Schwartz  awhile  at  butchering,  got  a  very  good  job  in 
John  McB.  Davidson's  safe  factory.  There  he  worked 
seven  years.  Then  he  went  to  Schenectady  and  resumed 
butchering,  and  after  an  experience  of  a  few  months  he  lost 
every  dollar  he  had.  Then  he  tried  boiler  making  in  the 
Hudson  River  Railroad  shops  for  a  few  months — all  this 
previous  to  his  twenty-first  year.  In  1857,  he  was  married 
to  Anna  Rapp,  and  shortly  after  resumed  butchering  and 
also  resumed  the  wholesale  meat  business.  In  this  he  had 
rather  varying  success,  but  when  the  war  broke  out  he 
was  doing  well. 

Shortly  after  the  commencement  of  hostilities,  he  recruited 
a  company  for  the  46th  New  York  Volunteers,  and  was 
elected  its  First  Lieutenant,  but  failed  to  get  his  com- 
mission. He  went  to  the  front,  however,  as  a  private,  was 
soon  advanced  to  the  grade  of  sergeant,  and  on  the  1st 
of  March,  1862,  was  commissioned  Second  Lieutenant,  and 
detailed  to  the  quartermaster's  department.  The  regiment 
was  then  under  Gen.  Terry  in  South  Carolina.  In  the 
June  following,  after  the  battle  of  James  Island,  he  was 
promoted  to  First  Lieutenant,  and  detailed  to  duty  on  the 
staff  of  Gen.  Terry.  He  served  with  the  regiment  to  the 
end  of  the  war,  performing  duty  on  the  Atlantic  coast,  in 
Virginia  and  Maryland,  in  Tennessee,  and  in  Mississippi  at 
the  siege  of  Vicksburg.  On  the  18th  of  October,  at  the 
close  of  the  battle  of  Antietam,  in  which  he  distinguished 
himself,  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Captain.  At 
Petersburgh,  Va.,  he  was  in  command  of  the  regiment,  and 
was  wounded  in  the  arm.  He  was  also  wounded  in  the 
right  shoulder  at  Somerset,  Ky.  During  his  long  and 
arduous  service,  he  participated  in  numerous  battles,  among 
the  most  important  of  which  were  those  fought  at  Port  Royal, 
Fort  Pulaski,  James  Island,  second  Bull  Run,  Chantilly,  South 
Mountain,  Antietam,  Fredericksburgh,  Vicksburgh,  Jack- 


Frederick  Schifferdecker,  285 

Bonville,  Strawberry  Plain,  Loudon  and  Knoxville.  He  was 
with  the  Ninth  corps  in  the  famous  Wilderness  battles  in 
Virginia,  and  during  the  terrible  campaign  which  ended 
with  the  surrender  of  the  rebel  army  at  Appomattox.  His 
army  record  is  in  every  way  one  to  be  proud  of.  He  was 
brave  almost  to  rashness,  and  ever  ready  and  enthusiastic  in 
the  performance  of  duty.  His  many  generous  qualities  also 
made  him  a  favorite  among  officers  and  men,  all  of  whom 
were  greatly  attached  to  him. 

The  war  over,  Mr.  Schiffehdecker  gladly  returned  to 
the  domestic  hearth  and  peaceful  pursuits.  He  resumed  his 
old  business  of  butchering  and  meat-selling,  which  he  still 
continues,  and  he  is  now  comfortably  well  off.  From  an 
early  age  he  has  been  active  in  politics.  First,  strange  as 
it  may  seem,  he  was  a  "  Know  Nothing."  He  soon,  however, 
became  identified  with  the  Republican  party,  and  has  ever 
since  been  an  active  worker  in  the  ranks  of  that  organiza- 
tion. He  has  not  held  many  political  offices.  At  different 
times  he  has  been  an  inspector  of  meat  and  cattle,  and  clerk 
of  the  Albany  market,  and  was  a  rinderpest  commissioner  in 
the  town  of  Bethlehem.  He  was  also  a  member  of  the 
Albany  Board  of  Supervisors  in  the  years  1870  and  1871. 
These,  we  believe,  sum  up  the  public  positions  he  has  held; 
but  in  all  of  them  he  showed  ability,  and  he  has  always  been  a 
hard  worker  in  the  ranks  of  the  party,  and  very  popular 
among  the  Republicans  of  Albany.  His  Assembly  district 
is  a  close  one,  and  sometimes  sends  a  Democrat  to  the  Legisla- 
ture. He  carried  it,  however,  against  a  very  popular  Demo- 
crat, Barent  S.  Winne.  As  a  member  of  the  Committees 
on  Two-thirds  and  Three-fifth  Bills,  Expenditures  of  the 
Executive  Department,  and  Expenditures  of  the  House,  he 
has  proved  to  be  an  active  and  efficient  member.  To  out- 
side view  Mr.  Schifferdecker  appears  somewhat  rough 
and  unpolished,  but  the  roughness  is  more  apparent  than 
real,  as  he  is  generous  to  a  fault,  courteous  and  kindly  to  all, 
and  overflowing  with  genial  good  nature. 


Life  Sketches, 


STEPHEN  D.  SHATTUCK. 


The  first  district  of  Steuben  ranks  among  the  "  closely  con- 
tested "  localities  of  the  State,  and  neither  party  can  claim  a 
monopoly  of  its  representation.  This  year  Mr.  Shattuck, 
an  able  and  well  known  Democrat,  has  the  honor  of  repre- 
senting it  in  the  Assembly.  He  is  a  man  about  the  middle 
age,  rather  undersized,  active  and  full  of  vitality,  and  amply 
qualified  to  fill  his  responsible  position.  He  was  born  in 
Oohocton,  where  he  still  resides,  on  the  5th  of  April,  1828. 
Educated  mainly  in  the  common  schools,  and  being  a  man 
of  keen  powers  of  observation,  he  is  well  informed  upon  all 
subjects  which  would  naturally  engage  the  attention  of  the 
average  legislator.  He  commenced  his  business  life,  at  the 
age  of  18,  as  clerk  in  a  store,  and  going  into  business  for 
himself  in  the  course  of  time,  he  has  followed  mercantile 
pursuits  ever  since,  being  reasonably  successful. 

Always  a  straightforward  and  consistent  Democrat,  Mr. 
Shattuck  has  been  active  in  politics  since  his  youth. 
During  the  Rebellion  he  was  prominent  as  a  War  Democrat, 
giving  his  active  co-operation  to  the  work  of  filling  the  mil- 
itary quotas  of  his  town  and  county.  He  has  held  several 
town  offices,  and  during  a  period  of  five  years  was  a  member 
of  the  Steuben  county  Board  of  Supervisors.  He  was  elected 
to  the  Assembly  last  fall  by  a  majority  of  455  over  Charles 
K.  Minor,  his  Republican  opponent,  and  serves  on  the  Com- 
mittees on  Banks  and  Sub-Committee  of  the  Whole.  He  is 
a  Universalist  in  religious  belief,  and  possesses  many  of  those 
traits  of  character  which  win  popularity  and  respect. 


George  Sherwood.  287 


GEORGE  SHERWOOD. 


Mr.  Sherwood  was  born  at  McDonoiigh  Springs,  Chenango 
county,  January  18,  1820.  His  grandfather,  on  his  father's 
side,  was  a  soldier  in  the  revolutionary  war,  and  served  during 
the  seven  years.  His  mothers  father  was  Rev.  David  Bud- 
long,  a  pioneer  Baptist  minister  in  Oneida  county.  His 
advantages  for  acquiring  an  education  were  limited,  and 
consibted  of  very  irregular  attendance  at  a  country  common 
school,  as  such  schools  were  thirty  years  ago.  But  notwith- 
standing his  early  disadvantages,  he  has  absorbed,  from  much 
reading,  a  practical  education,  and  acquired  a  good  under- 
standing of  the  world,  if  not  of  the  Latin  and  Greek 
classics. 

He  has  always  followed  the  occupation  of  a  farmer,  and 
now  owns  and  resides  upon  a  faim  a  short  distance  from 
Binghamton,  and  overlooking  the  city.  His  wife,  whom  he 
married  twenty-five  years  ago,  is  a  daughter  of  Allen  C. 
Jeffords,  a  surveyor,  and  a  citizen  somewhat  prominent  in 
the  northern  part  of  Broome  county.  In  personal  appear- 
ance, Mr.  Sherwood  indicates  that  he  is  a  laboring  man  in 
his  occupation,  and  not  in  any  sense  a  "fancy  farmer."  He 
is  of  medium  height,  somewhat  stout,  black,  bushy  hair  and 
beard  sprinkled  with  gray,  piercing  black  eyes  and  well- 
marked  features,  which  are  unmistakable  evidences  of 
firmness. 

Following,  perhaps,  the  predilections  of  his  mother,  he 
early  united  with  the  Baptist  church,  and  has  since  been 
a  communicant,  although  from  settled  convictions  he  has  for 
several  years  refused  to  taste  fermented  wine  at  communion. 
For  a  time  his  refusal  to  touch  the  wine  used  in  his  church 
was  regarded  as  a  tentative,  and  was  the  subject  of  severe 
criticism.  He  was  denounced  as  a  "  one-idea  man  ;  "  but  his 
**  one  idea"  was  finally  acknowledged  to  be  singleness  of  pur- 


288  Life  Sketches, 

pose,  and  now  his  pastor,  the  Rev.  In^kis  Wright,  D.  D., 
and  a  large  portion  of  his  congregation  are  fully  in  accord 
with  Mr.  Sherwood  on  the  subject  of  communion  wine. 

As  might  be  supposed  from  his  views  upon  the  sacrament, 
Mr.  Sherwood  is  a  zealous  temperance  man.  He  has  given 
much  time  to  the  cause,  in  lecturing,  speaking  and  working 
for  it  He  holds  no  association  more  precious  than  the 
church,  but  the  church  usages,  when  they  conflict  with  his 
views  on  temperance,  must  submit  to  a  modification,  or  he 
dissents.  It  is  so  in  politics  and  all  things  else.  He  was 
prominent  in  the  Maine  law  movement  in  this  State,  and 
was  a  delegate  to  the  convention  that  nominated  Hon. 
Myron"  H.  Clark  for  Governor  in  1854.  His  political 
antecedents  had  been  with  the  original  abolitionists,  when 
to  advocate  the  universal  manumission  of  slaves  required 
more  nerve  than  it  did  subsequently  to  take  up  a  musket 
and  march  with  the  **'  three  hundred  thousand  more  "  to  put 
down  the  slavery  rebelHon.  So  few  were  the  abolition  voters 
in  his  section  that  tickets  were  not  distributed  to  them,  and 
Mr.  Sherwood  frequently  voted  a  ticket  cut  from  a  news- 
paper, or  copied  the  names  from  posters.  Still  he  voted, 
although  nearly  alone,  for  the  abolitionists'  principles,  rather 
than  for  men,  until  the  Republican  party  organized,  in  1856, 
to  vote  witli  him.  Since  the  Republican  party  has  existed 
he  has  been  one  of  its  most  ardent  supporters. 

Notwithstanding  Mr.  Sherwood  has  been  elected  to  office, 
he  was  never  an  aspirant  for  political  positions.  In  1870  he 
was  chosen  to  represent  his  town  —  that  of  Binghamton  — 
in  the  Board,  of  Supervisors.  The  campaign  that  resulted 
in  his  election  to  the  Assembly  had  features  of  peculiar 
interest.  His  nomination  was  unsought  and  unexpected, 
and  almost  without  his  knowledge  that  his  name  was  to  be 
presented  to  the  convention.  In  a  speech,  accepting  the 
nomination,  he  said  that  his  motto  was  "  Purity  and 
Righteousness."  The  motto  was  acceptable  to  the  Republi- 
cans of  Broome,  and  Mr.  Sherwood  received  3,909  votes. 


Charles  Simon.  289 

His  opponent  was  J.  Stewart  Wells,  a  wealthy  manu- 
facturer. The  Democrats  made  a  special  effort  to  elect  Mr. 
Wells,  by  concejitratiug  their  votes,  means  and  tactics  upon 
him.    He  received  3,364  votes. 

Mr.  Sherwood's  course  in  the  Assembly  thus  far  has  shown 
that  he  is  faithfully  endeavoring  to  act  strictly  in  accordance 
with  the  principles  embodied  in  his  striking  motto.  His 
voice  and  his  vote  are  invariably  given  upon  the  side  of 
purity  and  righteousness,  and  several  brief  speeches,  made  in 
the  interest  of  economy  in  the  expenditure  of  the  people's 
money,  have  attracted  wide  attention.  His  oratorical  efforts 
are  quaintly  original  in  their  style,  and  the  language  is  the 
strongest  Anglo-Saxon,  put  with  almost  startling  directness. 
He  uses  expressions,  sometimes,  which  sound  strangely,  but 
no  one  can  gainsay  the  truth  of  what  he  says,  or  withstand 
the  force  of  his  honest  logic.  He  holds  what  now-a-days 
would  be  deemed  old-fashioned  views,  but  it  would  be  vastly 
better  for  the  country  were  such  views  more  widely  current 
among  our  public  men. 


CHARLES  SIMON. 


Mr.  SiMOX  is  a  wide-awake  and  energetic  German  citizen 
of  Syracuse,  which  he  in  part  represents  in  the  present 
Assembly.  He  was  born  in  Prussia,  February  24th,  1837, 
came  to  this  country  at  an  early  age,  and  was  married  on 
the  22d  of  March,  1856,  to  Catharina  Poeklman-,  of  Syra- 
cuse.   His  parents  are  both  deceased. 

He  received  a  common  school  education,  and  has  been 
engaged,  during  most  of  his  life,  in  mercantile  business, 
being  a  dealer  in  boots  and  shoes.  For  six  years,  ending  in 
March  of  the  present  year,  he  has  been  City  Assessor  of 
Syracuse,  and  has  filled  the  office  to  universal  satisfaction. 
37 


290  Life  Sketches. 

His  opponent  in  the  late  canvass  was  John  I.  Furbeck,  who 
was  elected  last  year  by  a  majority  of  639.  Mr.  Simok's 
official  majority  last  fall  was  174.  Mr.  Fukbeck  interposed 
a  claim  for  the  seat  at  the  beginning  of  the  session,  but 
becoming  satisfied  that  he  could  not  sustain  it,  he  afterward 
withdrew  from  the  contest. 

Mr.  Simo;n'  is  a  man  about  the  medium  height,  but  solidly 
built,  with  broad  features,  florid  complexion  and  liglit  hair. 
His  face  indicates  capacity  and  intelligence,  and  he  evi- 
dently fully  apprehends  the  duties  of  legislation.  He  has 
little  to  say,  but  he  is  seldom  absent  from  his  seat,  and 
watches  with  close  interest  the  progress  of  law-making. 


GEORGE  B,  SLOAN. 


Mr.  Sloan  represents  a  district — the  First  of  Oswego — 
which  has  a  habit  of  sending  its  best  men  to  the  Assembly. 
The  custom  is  one  good  enough  to  be  followed  by  any 
locality,  and  were  it  more  generally  the  rule  we  should  un- 
questionably secure  better  laws  and  greater  wisdom  in  legis- 
lation. As  the  successor  of  Mr.  Fort,  whose  reputation 
throughout  the  State  is  well,  known,  we  have  another  solid 
business  man,  and  a  man  whose  wealth  and  social  posi- 
tion place  him  far  above  any  suspicion  of  selfish  motives 
in  accepting  the  important  trust  which  he  is  faithfully  dis- 
charging. Mr.  Sloan's  life  has  thus  far  been  spent  in 
Oswego.  There  he  has  made  his  reputation,  and  it  is  not  too 
much  to  say  that  no  man  in  Oswego  is  more  highly  re- 
garded. He  is  devoted  to  the  interests  of  that  city,  and  his 
ability  is  such  that  he  is  well  able  to  take  care  of  those  inter- 
ests in  whatever  representative  position  he  may  be  placed. 

Mr.  Sloan  was  born  in  Oswego,  June  20,  1832.  His 
father,  James  Sloan,  was  a  native  of  Massachusetts,  and 


George  B.  Sloan.  291 

emigrated  to  this  State  in  1825.  His  mother  was  of  New 
Hampshire  birth.  After  receiving  a  good  common-school 
education,  he  entered  a  dry  goods  store  at  the  age  of  four- 
teen as  clerk.  Two  years  later  he  became  a  clerk  in  an 
Oswego  milling  and  produce  house,  in  which  he  remained 
eight  years.  He  applied  himself  diligently  and  faithfully  to 
his  duties,  and  missed  no  opportunity  of  acquiring  the  tech- 
nical and  practical  knowledge  so  essential  to  a  successful 
commercial  career.  In  1854,  being  twenty-two  years  of  age, 
he  formed  a  partnership  with  Mr.  H.  C.  Wright  in  the  grain 
and  commission  business.  This,  however,  was  dissolved  in 
1856,  and  he  entered  into  a  similar  relationship  with  Cheney 
Ames,  formerly  a  State  Senator  from  the  Oswego  District 
He  continued  with  Mr.  Ames  until  1864,  when,  in  connec- 
tion with  Theodore  Irwin,  a  business  man  widely  and 
favorably  known,  he  established  the  house  of  Erwin  & 
Sloan,  which  has  had  a  prosperous  existence  ever  since, 
occupying  a  high  position  for  financial  strength  and  charac- 
ter throughout  the  grain  markets  of  the  West  and  Canada. 

It  will  thus  be  observed  that  Mr.  Sloan  has  literally 
grown  up  with  the  city  of  Oswego,  and  is  closely  identified 
with  its  material  prosperity.  In  business  circles,  he  bears  the 
highest  reputation  for  integrity  and  probity  of  character, 
while  he  possesses  the  tact,  judgment  and  energy  essential  to 
successful  business  life,  and  without  which  substantial  suc- 
cess cannot  be  attained.  As  a  result  he  now  occupies  a  high 
standing  in  Oswego,  and  he  may  fairly  be  credited  with  being 
one  of  the  instrumentalities  by  which  that  city  has  been 
placed  in  her  present  important  commercial  position. 

It  is  to  be  expected  that  such  a  man  would  take  an  active 
interest  in  politics,  so  far  at  least  as  to  contribute  his  eff'orts 
and  influence  to  secure  good  government  for  his  native  city. 
This  he  has  always  done  freely  and  willingly,  and  while  he 
has  been  averse  to  seeking  or  holding  ofiice,  he  has  never 
withheld  such  aid  as  was  in  his  power  to  those  who  have 
labored  to  place  good  men  in  the  public  service.     His  first 


292  Life  Sketches. 

Presidential  vote  was  cast  for  Gen.  Feemoistt  in  1856,  and 
since  then  he  has  invariably  supported  Republican  principles 
and  nominees.  Receiving  the  unanimous  nomination  of  his 
Republican  District  Convention  last  fall,  he  was  constrained 
to  accept  the  x\ssembly  candidacy,  and  the  fact  that  he  was 
elected  by  nearly  1,200  majority,  though  Mr.  Fort  received 
but  129  majority  the  previous  year,  is  a  good  indication  of 
his  popularity  at  home.  It  only  remains  to  add  that  his 
course  in  the  Assembly  has  fully  justified  the  confidence  of 
his  constituents,  as  he  is  making  an  honorable  record.  He  is 
not  only  watchful  of  the  interests  of  his  immediate  con- 
stituency in  the  House,  but  matters  pertaining  to  State 
policy,  and  especially  the  management  of  the  canals  and 
educational  institutions  of  the  State,  receive  from  him  such 
attention  as  their  importance  merits.  Though  a  fluent  and 
graceful  speaker,  it  is  only  occasionally  that  he  takes  part  in 
the  debates,  and  when  he  does  so,  his  speeches  are  short, 
practical  and  to  the  point  —  eminently  characteristic  of  the 
man.  His  views  are  mainly  found  to  be  sound  and  sensible, 
and  his  arguments  well  considered  and  convincing. 

In  personal  appearance,  Mr.  Sloak  is  a  plain,  every-day 
sort  of  man.  He  is  rather  below  the  medium  height,  but 
his  frame  is  well  filled  out  without  the  slightest  tendency  to 
thp  aldermanie  stylr^  of  physical  development.  He  is  rather 
dark  in  feature,  and  a  heavy  moustache  droops  over  a  well 
set  mouth  which  readily  expands  into  a  smile,  being  aided 
and  abetted  thereto  by  a  chronic  twinkle  which  sparkles  in 
his  black  eyes.  Pleasant  and  courteous  to  all  with  whom 
he  comes  in  contact,  strictly  just  and  conscientious  in  all 
his  relations,  and  possessing  a  happy  and  genial  disposition, 
Mr.  Sloan"  certain 'y  embodies  all  the  elements  of  the 
thorough  gentleman.  We  are  fairly  justified,  now  that  he 
has  entered  upon  public  life,  in  predicting  for  him  a  bril- 
liant and  useful  career.  He  was  married  in  1856  to  the 
youngest  daughter  of  the  late  Albert  Oran"E  of  Oswego, 
and  has  three  children. 


Hugh  Sinrm  293 


HUGH  SMITH. 


Mr.  Smith,  the  representative  of  the  Second  district  of 
Jefferson,  was  born  in  Buckingham,  Bucks  county,  Pennsyl- 
vania, January  27,  1811,  being  the  son  of  Joseph  and  Han- 
nah Smith.  His  father's  family  moved  into  Brownville, 
Jefferson  county,  the  home  of  General  Brown,  in  April, 
1820.  In  September  of  the  ensuing  year  his  father  died, 
leaving  a  family  of  seven  children,  ranging  in  age  from  four 
to  sixteen  years,  in  the  hands  of  a  mother,  to  be  reared  and 
cared  for  amid  strangers,  with  the  discouragements  of 
sickness  and  debt,  and  upon  a  farm  but  a  small  portion  of 
which  was  cleared  and  improved.  The  faithful  mother'^ 
task  was  performed,  however,  with  a  tact  and  success  rarely 
excelled,  and  she  became  widely  known  and  respected. 

The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  the  fourth  of  the  family. 
He  spent  his  time  continuously  on  the  farm,  attending  the 
common  district  school  a  fev/  months  in  the  year,  up  to  the 
age  of  twenty-five,  excepting  the  winters  spent  in  teaching, 
and  also  a  portion  of  1835  spent  in  the  employ  of  a  brother 
in  doing  work  about  a  store. 

He  moved  to  Perch  River  in  the  spring  of  1836,  and  in 
company  with  others,  purchased  landed  and  store  property 
and  engaged  in  the  business  of  merchandising  and  farming, 
in  which,  with  various  partners,  he  has  continued  up  to  the 
present  time,  engaged  also  during  the  last  eighteen  years  in  the 
produce  and  cattle  trade  with  Mr.  Henry  Spicer,  one  of 
the  Grant  Presidential  Electors  in  the  last  Presidential 
election,  under  the  firm  name  of  Smith  &  Spicer.  He 
has  been  reasonably  successful  in  all  his  enterprises,  and  is 
widely  known  as  a  prudent,  safe  and  reliable  business  man. 

He  married  Miss  Charlotte  Spicer,  the  daughter  of 
Silas  F.  and  Charlotte  Spicer  of  Perch  River,  in  Septem- 


394  Life  Sketches. 

ber,  1836.  He  is  a  brother  of  Levi  Smith,  who  for  some 
ten  years  was  Town  Clerk  of  the  town  of  Brownville,  and 
afterward  for  nine  years  was  Postmaster  of  the  city  of  Water- 
town  under  Lincoln  and  Grant.  He  is  also  the  brother- 
in-law  of  Hon.  James  A.  Bell,  for  several  terms  Senator 
from  Lewis  and  Jefferson  counties,  and  more  recently  Auditor 
of  the  Canal  Department. 

With  the  exception  of  a  postmastership,  to  which  he  was 
first  appointed  in  1836,  by  Postmaster-General  Kendall, 
under  the  Jackson  administration,  and  which  he  held  con- 
tinuously for  a  period  of  twenty-one  years,  Mr.  Smith  has 
held  no  office  of  a  political  nature  until  his  election  to  the 
Assembly  last  fall.  He  has  always  been  engaged  more  or  less 
in  politics.  During  the  famous  Morgan  excitement  he  was 
known  as  an  Anti-Mason,  and  took  decided  ground  in  the 
controversy  which  then  raged  throughout  the  State.  Subse- 
quently, and  until  1840,  he  acted  with  the  Whig  party ;  but 
in  that  year  he  became  identified,  morally  and  politically, 
with  the  Abolition  movement  which  was  then  beginning  to 
crystalize,  and  under  that  banner  he  steadily  fought  until 
the  year  1864,  when  Lincoln's  emancipation  proclamation 
obviated  the  necessity  of  further  warfare.  At  the  start  he 
prompted  the  first  Abolition  organization  in  the  town  of 
Brownville,  Jefferson  counfy,  and  a  ticket  was  nominated  in 
part.  The  new  organization  was  few  in  numbers,  but  it  was 
bound  to  grow.  At  the  first  town  election  in  which  it  took 
part,  its  ticket  received  but  six  votes.  In  the  ensuing  fall, 
however,  ten  votes  were  cast,  and  in  a  few  years  there  were 
ninety  Abolitionists  in  the  town,  holding  the  balance.  He 
was  also  active  in  the  cause  throughout  the  county,  and  to 
some  extent,  in  the  State,  being  at  different  times  nominated 
for  town  and  county  offices.  At  one  time  he  was  the  nominee 
of  the  Abolition  party  for  Congress.  Since  1864  he  has 
been  an  earnest  and  consistent  Kepublican,  and  wields  large 
influence  in  Jefferson  county.  Not  only  was  Mr.  Smith 
actively  connected  with  the  Anti-Slavery  movement  of  those 


Hugh  Smith.  295 

early  days,  but  he  was  as  deeply  interested  in  the  Temperance 
agitation  of  that  time,  and  even  before  the  days  of  the  Pro- 
hibitory law,  he  was  actively  engaged  in  the  effort  to  expel 
licensed  traffic  in  intoxicating  liquors  from  his  town,  and  as 
a  member  of  the  first  Temperance  society  in  the  town,  and 
also  one  of  the  town  Excise  Board,  chosen  with  reference  to 
that  object,  his  labors  were  exceedingly  effective.  In  his 
locality,  the  traffic,  whether  licensed  or  unlicensed,  was  ulti- 
mately placed  under  the  ban  of  public  opinion. 

He  is  still  an  active  worker  for  the  success  of  the  Temper- 
ance cause,  believing  fully  in  the  right  and  the  duty  of  the 
people  to  protect  themselves  by  "  appropriate  legislation  " 
from  the  pauperism,  crime  and  taxation  which  grows  natur- 
ally and  inevitably  out  of  the  traffic. 

Mr.  Smith  was  not  a  candidate  for  the  office  which  he 
now  holds,  but  he  accepted  the  position  at  the  earnest  solici- 
tation of  personal  and  political  friends,  receiving  in  his  own 
town  election  district  all  but  eleven  of  the  votes  cast  for 
Assemblyman.  His  majority  in  the  district  was  196.  After 
his  present  term  expires,  he  purposes  to  return  to  his  home 
and  friends,  and  to  "  private  "  life.  The  people,  however, 
may  direct  otherwise,  inasmuch  as  men  of  his  stamp  are  not 
80  plenty  that  he  can  conveniently  be  spared  from  the  service 
of  the  public. 

Mr.  Smith  is  of  Quaker  parentage,  and  certainly  he  seems 
to  possess  all  the  stern  virtues  popularly  ascribed  to  that  sect. 
He  is  not  a  member  of  any  denomination,  but  he  is  never- 
theless a  firm  believer  in  the  Christian  religion,  and  his  con- 
duct through  life  is  based  upon  correct  principles.  Tall  and 
almost  venerable  in  appearance,  exceedingly  modest  and 
unobtrusive  in  manner,  and  gifted  with  that  native  courtesy 
and  amiability  which  wins  regard  every  where,  Mr.  Smith 
has  succeeded  in  securing  universal  respect  during  his  stay 
in  Albany. 


Life  Sketches, 


JOSEPH  W.  SMITH. 


The  subject  of  this  sketch  was  born  at  Elysville,  Erie 
county,  N.  Y.,  on  the  15th  of  November,  1831.  His  parents 
emigrated  to  America  from  Lorraine,  France,  in  the  year 
1829.  The  poverty  of  the  newly  arrived  emigrants  rendered 
it  necessary  for  all  the  members  of  the  family  to  devote 
their  time  and  energy  to  provide  a  home  and  obtain  a 
livelihood ;  hence  but  little  attention  could  be  devoted 
to  education,  and  such  as  was  obtainable  for  a  few  weeks  in 
the  winter  from  indifferent  teachers  was  the  only  schooling 
received  by  the  elder  children  of  the  family.  The  younger 
ones  had  a  better  opportunity,  as  the  country  became  more 
settled,  and  the  affairs  of  the  family  more  prosperous. 

Mr.  Smith  has  taken  an  active  part  in  the  politics  of  Erie 
county  since  a  very  early  age,  being  a  leading  Democrat,  and 
has  frequently  held  public  positions.  In  1852,  he  was 
elected  Constable ;  in  1854,  he  was  appointed  on  the  detective 
force  by  the  Mayor  and  Common  Council  of  the  city  of 
Buffalo,  which  position  he  held  satisfactorily  until  1857, 
when  he  resigned  and  entered  into  the  wholesale  wine 
and  liquor  trade.  In  1860,  he  sold  out  his  interest  in  the 
wine  and  liquor  business,  and  commenced  the  manufacture 
and  sale  of  tobacco  and  cigars.  The  same  year  he  was 
married  to  the  eldest  daughter  of  JoHiq"  Dingers,  who,  in 
1848,  the  year  of  his  death,  was  one  of  the  most  prominent 
merchants  and  citizens  of  Buffalo. 

In  1862,  Mr.  Smith  was  elected  Supervisor  of  the  Fourth 
ward  of  Buffalo.  In  1864,  he  was  urged  to  and  did  accept 
the  appointment  of  head  keeper  of  the  Erie  county  alms 
house,  which  position  he  held  four  years,  filling  it  to  the 
entire  satisfaction  of  the  public,  but  a  law  was  passed  taking 
the  appointment  of  the  office  away  from  the  superintendent 


Robert  A.  Snyder.  297 

of  the  poor  and  giving  it  to  the  Supervisors.  The  board 
was  Republican,  and  Mr.  Smith  was  consequently  removed. 

In  1871  and  1872,  he  became  engaged  with  a  number  of 
capitalists  in  developing  several  silver  mines  at  Thunder  Bay, 
Lake  Superior.  He  is  at  present  identified  with  four  compan- 
ies, being  director  in  two,  besides  holding  a  large  amount  of 
undeveloped  territory.  He  holds  a  staff  position  in  the  65th 
Kegiment,  New  York  National  Guard.  In  the  political 
campaign  that  resulted  in  his  election  as  Member  of  Assem- 
bly from  the  second  district  of  Erie  county,  he  entered 
the  field  but  a  few  days  before  the  4th  of  November,  with 
but  little  prospect  of  election,  his  opponent  having  been 
elected  by  a  majority  of  some  800  the  year  previous,  and  the 
district  having  previously  given  upward  of  1,400  Republican 
majority.  Mr.  Smith  was  determined  to  reduce  the  majority 
even  if  he  failed  being  elected,  and  his  election  by  a  majority 
of  nearly  300  shows  the  estimation  in  which  he  is  held  by 
his  constituents. 

Mr.  Smith  is  tall  and  fine  looking.  He  has  little  to  say 
on  the  floor  of  the  House,  but  he  is  always  in  his  seat,  and 
evidently  aims  to  do  his  duty  faithfully  and  intelligently. 


ROBERT  A.  SNYDER. 


Mr.  Snyder,  who  is  from  the  First  District  of  Ulster 
county,  is  a  young  man  of  ability  and  shrewdness,  and  a  plain 
straightforward  man  of  business.  He  prefers,  as  a  rule,  to  let 
others  do  the  talking  on  the  floor  of  the  Assembly,  but  this 
does  not  prove  that  he  is  entirely  devoid  of  oratorical  gifts. 
On  the  contrary,  he  is  well  able  to  express  his  views  in  good 
language,  should  the  occasion  arise.  He  is  a  pleasant-faced 
dark  complexioned  man  in  the  early  prime  of  life,  in  full 
health  and  vigor,  active  and  energetic,  and  enthusiastic  in 
38 


298  Life  Sketches. 

the  performance  of  any  duty  which  is  devolved  upon  him. 
He  comes  to  the  Assembly  with  the  prestige  of  having 
defeated  an  active  and  popular  Democratic  competitor,  and 
undoubtedly  ranks  among  the  most  efficient  Republicans  of 
Ulster  county. 

Egbert  A.  3kyder  was  born  in  the  city  of  Poughkeepsie 
on  the  18th  of  May,  1836.  He  received  his  education  mainly 
in  the  common  schools,  and  early  became  accustomed  to 
business  habits  of  life.  He  was  married  at  Oatskill  on  the 
5th  of  March,  1863.  After  reaching  man's  estate,  he  became 
engaged  in  the  transportation  business  at  Saugerties.  In 
that  business,  which  he  still  follows,  he  has  been  quite  suc- 
cessful, and  he  controls  an  extensive  trade  on  the  Hudson 
and  other  waters.  Aside  from  these  few  facts,  Mr.  Si^"YDEr's 
life  presents  little  that  would  interest  the  public.  It  is  the 
life  of  an  honest,  useful  citizen,  and  its  record,  though  brief, 
is  honorable.  In  politics  he  has  always  been  a  Eepublican, 
and  has  always  been  prominent  in  the  local  councils  of  that 
party.  Twice  before  he  has  been  elected  to  office.  In  1870 
he  was  chosen  Collector  of  the  town  of  Saugerties,  by  a 
majority  of  250.  Last  year  he  was  elected  Supervisor  from 
the  same  town,  by  a  majority  of  275,  and  last  fall  he  was  sent 
to  the  Assembly  by  a  majority  of  1,170,  Peter  Gill  being 
his  opponent.  The  district,  last  year,  gave  a  Democratic 
majority  of  over  300.  In  each  of  those  positions,  Mr.  Skyder 
has  demonstrated  capability  and  fitness,  and  so  performed 
his  duties  as  to  win  public  approval.  He  has  been  placed  on 
the  Committees  on  Commerce  and  Navigation  and  Federal 
Relations. 


Charles  JS.  Spencer. 


CHARLES  S.  SPENCER. 


No  man  now  in  the  Assembly  is  better  known  than  Col. 
Charles  S.  Spencer,  of  New  York.  One  of  the  foremost 
criminal  lawyers  of  the  New  York  bar,  possessing  rare 
social  qualities,  a  graceful,  fluent  and  eloquent  impromptu 
speaker,  and  being  a  man  who  has  for  many  years  filled 
a  large  place  in  popular  attention  and  regard.  Col.  Spencer 
is  in  every  respect  a  satisfactory  subject  for  the  biographer. 
Not  only  does  he  possess  numerous  personal  traits  which  are 
pleasant  to  contemplate,  but  his  accomplishments  are  brilliant 
and  varied.  He  seems  perfectly  at  home  in  any  department 
of  learning,  and  his  mind  is  equally  well  stored  with 
the  wealth  of  the  sages  and  poets  of  the  past,  and  with 
the  more  practical  acquirements  of  the  present.  In  all 
that  constitutes  the  gentleman  of  culture  and  refinement, 
Col.  Spencer  is  fully  equipped,  and  when  we  add  that 
he  possesses  a  grace  of  manner,  a  hearty  good  nature,  and  a 
genial  courtesy  which  never  leave  him,  even  in  the  most 
exciting  of  the  controversial  tournaments  in  which  he 
frequently  engages,  we  merely  refer  to  characteristics  which 
are  familiar  to  all  who  know  the  distinguished  advocate. 
There  are  few  men  in  the  Empire  State  who  are  the  equals 
of  Col.  Spencer  as  an  off-hand  orator,  and  those  who 
essay  to  cross  swords  with  him  on  the  floor  of  the  Assembly, 
do  so  warily  and  circumspectly.  He  is  ready  and  merciless 
at  repartee,  or  in  direct  attack,  while  his  keen  shafts  are 
aimed  directly  and  surely,  hidden  as  they  are,  frequently, 
even  when  the  topic  is  common-place,  by  the  most  chaste 
and  ornate  flights  of  eloquence.  He  seldom  permits  an 
important  question  to  pass  without  speaking  upon  it,  and 
while  his  views  are  usually  original  and  sound,  he  invariably 
makes  every  speech  which  he  delivers,  however  short,  the 
vehicle  of    an  apt  allusion  or  palpable  "hit"  which  sets 


300  Life  Sketches. 

the  House  in  a  roar  and  covers  his  opponent  with  con- 
fusion. He  elaborates  his  remarks  with  singular  readiness. 
The  beauty  of  his  gracefully  turned  periods  would  lead  to 
the  impression  that  they  had  been  carefully  evolved  in 
the  quiet  of  the  library  or  study.  No  impression  could 
be  farther  from  the  truth.  His  speeches  ordinarily  are 
dashed  off  on  the  spur  of  the  moment,  and  with  no 
preparation  whatever,  and  therein,  perhaps,  lies  their  prin- 
cipal charm.  In  short  he  is  in  every  respect  a  well-armed 
and  efficient  legislator,  who  is  an  ornament  to  the  House 
and  an  honor  to  the  great  metropolis  which  he  represents. 

Ohaeles  S.  Spencer  was  born  in  Ithaca,  Tompkins 
county,  February  13, 1824.  His  father  was  Hon.  David  D. 
Spencer,  a  native  of  Ontario  county,  who  died  in  1855,  and 
who  occupied  a  distinguished  and  influential  position  in  the 
State  as  Inspector  of  State  Prisons,  and  editor  and  proprietor, 
during  a  period  of  thirty-four  years,  of  the  Ithaca  Ghro7iicle, 
Ool.  Seencer  was  educated  at  the  academies  in  Syracuse, 
Canandaigua  and  Ithaca,  and  at  Williams  College,  graduat- 
ing from  the  latter  in  1844  with  the  highest  honors  of  his 
class,  being  selected  to  deliver  the  salutatory  address.  He 
immediately  applied  himself  to  the  study  of  law,  and  in  1847 
he  was  admitted  to  the  bar.  In  1850  he  removed  to  the  city 
of  New  York  to  fill  a  position  in  the  Custom  House.  Soon 
afterward  he  commenced  the  regular  practice  of  his  profes- 
sion in  the  metropolis,  and  thus  he  has  been  engaged  ever 
since,  winning  the  highest  laurels  as  an  eloquent  pleader. 
Though  his  practice  embraces  a  wide  range,  his  greatest 
reputation  has  been  achieved  in  criminal  cases,  in  which  he 
has  shown  remarkable  aptitude  and  ability.  The  record  of 
important  cases,  in  which  he  has  been  retained,  would  make 
an  extended  catalogue.  It  is  sufficient  to  observe  that  he 
has  won  an  enviable  and  enduring  reputation,  and  accumu- 
lated a  handsome  fortune  as  the  result  of  his  long  and  honor- 
able legal  career. 

Until  the  formation  of   the   Republican    party  Colonel 


Charles  S.  Spencer.  301 

Spencer  was  a  Whig.  Since  1856,  however,  he  has  steadily 
acted  with  the  Republicans,,  being  one  of  the  most  active 
and  zealous  members  of  the  party  in  New  York  city.  He 
takes  especial  pride  in  the  fact  that  he  has  never  changed, 
neither  when  a  portion  of  the  party  went  over  to  Johnson 
in  1866,  nor,  later,  when  another  portion  joined  its  fortunes 
with  Horace  Greeley.  He  has  not  held  many  public  posi- 
tions, being  averse  to  abandoning  his  profession  for  the 
uncertain  honors  of  political  life.  In  1859  he  was  a  Mem- 
ber of  Assembly,  and,  during  that  session,  he  specially  dis- 
tinguished himself  by  his  efforts  in  behalf  of  what  was 
known  as  the  "  Personal  Liberty  Bill,'^  and  by  his  services 
on  the  Judiciary  Committee.  In  1866  he  ran  for  Congress, 
in  place  of  the  late  Henry  J.  Raymond,  but  he  was  defeated 
by  a  coalition  which  was  formed  against  him.  During  six- 
teen years  past  he  has  represented  his  locality  in  the  Repub- 
lican State  Conventions,  and  he  was  also  a  delegate  to  the  two 
last  National  Conventions  of  the  party.  In  the  late  canvass, 
he  was  opposed  by  Joseph  H.  Horton,  and  was  elected  to 
the  Assembly  by  a  majority  of  795.  In  that  body  he  is 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Militia  and  Member  of  Ways 
and  Means  and  Judiciary. 

Colonel  Spencer  is  Presbyterian  in  religious  faith  and 
connection.  He  was  married  August  16,  1849,  to  Miss 
Adelaide  Loomis  of  Auburn,  a  niece  of  Dr.  Edward 
LooMis,  formerly  Member  of  Assembly  from  Oneida  county. 
He  derives  his  military  title  from  the  fact  that  he  is 
Colonel  Commanding  Fifth  Regiment,  N.  G.  S.  N.  Y.,  a  pop- 
ular metropolitan  Regiment.  He  possesses  a  wide  circle  of 
personal  and  political  friends,  and  to  all  his  friendships  he 
is  as  true  as  the  needle  to  the  pole.  He  is  a  man  rather 
below  the  medium  height,  but  closely  knit  and  well  built. 
His  whole  personality  is  instinct  with  restless,  nervous 
energy,  and  no  member  of  the  House  is  constantly  more 
active  than  the  representative  of  the  Thirteenth  metropoli- 
tan district. 


303  Life  Sketches, 


GEORGE  W.  SPENCER. 


The  two  Spencers  in  the  Assembly  are  alike  only  in  name, 
and  it  would  be  exceedingly  difficult  to  find  two  men  in 
that  body  more  dissimilar  in  personal  characteristics. 
He  of  the  metropolis  is  brilliant,  dashing  and  fond  of  contact 
with  his  fellows.  The  gentleman  from  Penn  Yan  is  modest, 
retiring,  and  content  to  perform  his  allotted  life-work  with- 
out the  incentive  of  popular  applause.  The  one  is  a  lawyer 
whose  praises  fame  has  sounded  far  and  wide ;  the  other  is  a 
plain  farmer,  possessing  honesty  and  ability,  comparatively 
indifferent  to  the  praise  or  censure  of  the  great  world,  and 
scarcely  known  beyond  a  limited  circle.  The  subject  of  our 
sketch,  however,  enjoys  considerable  local  prominence,  and 
possesses  in  large  degree  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  his 
immediate  fellow-citizens.  This,  doubtless,  fills  the  measure 
of  his  ambition,  as  far  as  popular  approval  is  concerned. 

George  W.  Spejtcer  was  born  in  Benton,  Yates  county, 
February  2,  1821.  He  is  the  son  of  Elijah  Spej^cer,  a 
native  of  Columbia  county,  in  this  State,  and  now  deceased, 
who,  during  a  long  and  useful  life,  held  numerous  offices  of 
public  trust,  serving  in  the  State  Assembly,  and  also  in  Con- 
gress. He  was  a  prominent  member  of  the  Constitutional 
Convention  of  1846.  The  younger  Spe]S"CER  was  brought 
up  a  farmer,  and  received  a  good  education  at  Penn  Yan 
Academy,  but  though  thus  qualified  for  a  more  strictly  intel- 
lectual occupation,  he  chose,  on  reaching  manhood,  to  adhere 
to  the  farm,  and  we  still  find  him  recorded  as  an  agriculturist. 
On  February  11,  1852,  he  married  Elizabeth  M.  Wheeler, 
and  as  a  result  of  a  life  of  industry,  he  possesses  a  comfort- 
able homestead,  and  is  the  head  of  a  happy  family  circle. 

Mr.  Spencer's  earliest  political  connection  was  with  the 
old  Whig  party.  When  that  party  ceased  to  exist  he  became 
identified  with  the  Democracy,  and  has  since  acted  there- 


Orrin  T.  Stacy.  303 

with.  Thongh  always  active  as  a  Democrat,  he  has  never 
been  inclined  to  forsake  his  honorable  calling  for  the  allure- 
ments of  office.  Only  once  before  has  he  filled  an  official 
station  of  prominence.  In  1871  he  was  elected  County  Clerk 
of  Yates  county.  In  the  performance  of  the  duties  of  that 
office,  he  exhibited  a  regard  for  the  public  interests,  and  a 
zeal  in  the  performance  of  his  duty,  not  always  characteristic 
of  public  servants.  So  well,  indeed,  was  the  people  satisfied 
with  him,  that  his  promotion  was  decided  upon,  and  he  was 
elected  to  succeed  a  Republican  in  the  Assembly  by  a  very 
flattering  majority,  considering  the  heavy  Republican  pre- 
ponderance in  the  district  at  the  previous  election.  That  he 
will  prove  himself  worthy  of  the  confidence  thus  reposed  in 
him,  no  one  can  doubt  who  has  witnessed  his  straight- 
forward course  since  he  has  been  a  Member  of  Assembly. 


ORRIN  T.  STACY. 


Among  the  more  prominent  of  the  new  members  of  the 
Assembly,  we  may  fairly  rank  Dr.  Orrin  T.  Stacy,  of  Alle- 
gany county.  He  does  not  frequently  favor  the  House  with 
speeches,  but  when  he  does,  he  invariably  commands  atten- 
tion, for  he  possesses  a  very  engaging  style  of  delivery.  His 
eloquence  is  not  of  the  soaring  kind,  but  his  speeches  are 
plain  and  practical,  couched  in  well  chosen  language,  ex- 
pressed with  ease  and  grace.  He  is  blessed  with  a  fine 
physical  development  and  exuberant  health,  and  being  a 
gentleman  of  thorough  culture  and  correct  principles,  he 
constitutes  a  legislative  character  pleasant  to  contemplate. 
There  are  few  members  of  the  present  House,  more  thor- 
oughly qualified  for  the  duties  devolving  upon  the  law-maker, 
than  Dr.  Stacy. 

He  was  born  in  Centerville,  in  this  State,  November  5th, 
1835.    His  father,  William  A.  Stacy,  was  a  native  of  Ver- 


304  Life  Sketches. 

mont  but  removed  to  Allegany  county  in  1824,  and  followed 
the  practice  of  medicine  and  surgery  during  a  period  of  forty 
years.  He  died  in  1867.  The  son,  the  present  member,  re- 
ceived a  thorough  academic  and  collegiate  education,  gradu- 
ating from  the  Buffalo  Medical  College  in  March,  I860. 
Since  that  year  he  has  been  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine. On  June  25, 1862,  he  was  married  to  Miss  Antoinette 
Kendall.  In  1863,  in  addition  to  his  medical  practice,  he 
became  interested  in  a  dry  goods  store  and  also  in  a  drug 
establishment,  and  in  both  a  business  and  professional 
sense  he  has  been  successful,  so  successful,  in  fact,  that  he  is 
now  enabled  to  give  the  public  the  benefit  of  his  talents  in 
the  field  of  statesmanship. 

In  politics  he  has  always  been  a  Republican,  and  an  active 
and  energetic  one.  He  cast  his  first  vote  for  Feemont  in 
1856,  and  since  then  has  never  swerved  in  his  allegiance 
to  the  party  of  his  choice.  His  present  position,  however, 
is  the  first  political  office  he  has  held,  and  we  may  safely  ven- 
ture the  prediction  that  it  will  not  be  the  last,  as  he  shows 
unquestionable  aptitude  for  public  life.  He  was  elected  to 
the  Assembly,  by  a  majority  of  1,347,  his  Democratic 
opponent  being  0.  T.  Higgins,  and  he  serves  on  the  Com- 
mittees on  Public  Education,  Public  Health  and  Sub-com- 
mittee of  the  "Whole. 


STEPHEN  D.  STEPHENS,  Je. 


Mr.  Stephens  is  an  active  and  energetic  young  man, 
under  thirty  years  of  age,  and  represents  the  Democratic 
county  of  Richmond.  He  is  valuable  in  the  details  of  legis- 
lation and  committee  work,  but  is  not  regarded  as  a  speech- 
maker,  and,  apparently,  has  little  ambition  that  way.  He 
was  born  in  Richmond,  Staten  Island,  where  he  still  resides, 


Martin  L.  Stover,  305 

April  19,  1845.  His  father  and  paternal  ancestors,  three 
generations  back,  were  born  in  New  York  city,  his  ancestors 
on  his  mother's  side  being  natives  of  Staten  Island.  Both 
his  grandfathers,  paternal  and  maternal,  served  in  the  war 
of  1812,  while  their  fathers  distinguished  themselves  in 
active  service  during  the  war  of  the  revolution.  Mr. 
Stephens  is  well  educated,  having  passed  with  honor 
through  the  several  departments  of  Columbia  College. 
In  1866  he  graduated  from  that  institution  with  the  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Arts.  Subsequently  he  entered  the  Columbia 
College  Law  School,  and  in  1868  graduated  with  the  degree 
of  Bachelor  of  Laws.  In  the  following  year  he  received  the 
degree  of  Master  of  Arts.  He  is  now  engaged  in  the 
practice  of  the  law,  being  a  member  of  the  well-known  law 
firm  of  ToMLiNSON,  Marsh  &  Stephens,  of  New  York  city, 
and  is  meeting  with  such  success  as  to  indicate  that  the 
future  has  many  honors  in  store  for  him. 

In  politics,  Mr.  Stephens  is  a  Democrat,  and  during 
a  number  of  years  he  has  been  an  active  worker  in  the 
ranks  of  his  party.  He  has  never  before  held  a  public 
position,  however.  He  is  a  member  of  the  important 
Committee  on  Railroads,  and  is  also  on  that  of  Villages. 
He  was  brought  up  in  the  Episcopal  denomination,  of  which 
he  is  still  a  member,  and  is  unmarried. 


MARTIN  L.  STOVER. 


Mr.  Stover  is  also  one  of  the  younger  members  of  the 
Assembly,  as  well  as  one  of  those  among  the  new  members, 
who  are  making  an  excellent  record  and  reflecting  honor 
upon  their  constituencies.  He  was  born  on  the  19th  of 
October,  1845,  at  Waterloo,  Seneca  county.  His  father,  M. 
J.  Stover,  a  Lutheran  clergvman,  attained  wide  repute  as  a 
39 


306  Life  Sketches. 

man  of  pure  character  and  solid  attainments.  The  subject 
of  our  sketch  was  educated  at  Wittenburg  College,  Spring- 
field, Ohio,  studied  law,  and  was  admitted  to  the  bar  in  1870; 
since  then  he  has  practiced  law  in  Amsterdam,  where  he  is 
gaining  large  popularity. 

In  May,  1862,  when  only  sixteen  years  of  age,  he  enlisted 
in  the  86th  Ohio  Infantry  as  a  private,  and  served  in  West 
Virginia.  Being  discharged  by  expiration  of  term  of  service, 
he  re-enlisted  in  the  17th  Ohio  Battery  of  Artillery,  also  as  a 
private  soldier,  and  served  with  that  command  in  the  Depart- 
ment of  the  Gulf  until  the  close  of  the  war.  He  never  sought 
nor  asked  a  shoulder-strap,  but  was  content  to  honorably  per- 
form his  duty  in  the  ranks. 

Mr.  Stover's  political  record  is  necessarily  brief,  his  posi- 
tion in  the  Assembly  being  the  first  he  has  held  of  a  public 
or  political  nature.  He  has  always  been  an  active  and  con- 
sistent Eepublican,  however,  and  in  the  late  canvass  was 
elected  in  a  district  usually  close,  over  Hon.  Isaac  S.  Frost, 
a  very  worthy  and  popular  Democrat,  who  has  twice  been 
a  member  of  Assembly.  Though  not  noted  as  a  speaker,  he 
occasionally  addresses  the  House,  when  local  measures  are  at 
issue,  and  has  demonstrated  that  he  possesses  considerable 
oratorical  ability.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Committees  on 
Eailroads,  Federal  Relations  and  Public  Lands,  and  is  rarely 
absent  from  a  session  of  the  House.  He  is,  we'  believe, 
unmarried. 


JAMES  E.  SULLIYAlSr. 


Mr.  Sullivan"  represents  the  Twenty-first  district  of  New 
York,  and  was  elected  in  place  of  Henry  W.  Genet,  who 
was  convicted  of  crime  and  is  now  a  fugitive  from  justice. 
He  was  chosen  by  a  plurality  of  415,  Charles  Crary,  who 
represented  the  district  last  year,  and  Horatio  Allen 


George  Taylor,  307 

being  his  opponents.  Mr.  Sullivan  takes  no  very  active 
part  in  legislation,  but  he  is  always  in  his  seat,  and  is 
evidently  a  close  observer  of  all  that  is  going  on.  He  is 
a  large,  rather  fine-looking  man,  with  full  whiskers  and 
moustache  slightly  tinged  with  gray.  Ho  is  agreeable 
and  courteous  in  conversation,  and  is  well  known  in 
New  York  as  a  politician  and  business  man. 


JOHN   SUNDERLIN. 


The  closely  contested  district  which  embraces  the  counties 
of  Fulton  and  Hamilton  has  for  its  representative  John 
SuNDEBLiN,  of  whom  we  know  very  little,  save  that  he  is  a 
quiet  and  modest  gentleman,  with  some  of  the  old  school 
appearance  about  him.  He  bears  upon  his  countenance  the 
unmistakable  stamp  of  honesty,  and,  both  in  a  political  and 
general  sense,  he  is,  probably,  a  fair  representative  of  the 
intelligent  constituency  embraced  within  the  rural  counties 
mentioned.  He  is  a  Republican,  and  was  elected  over 
William  Jeffers,  the  Democratic  candidate  in  the  last 
election,  by  a  majority  of  245,  which  is  a  slight  increase  over 
the  Republican  majority  of  last  year.  Mr.  Sunderlin 
resides  in  the  flourishing  village  of  Gloversville. 


GEORGE  TAYLOR. 


Mr.  Taylor  is  a  successful  Rochester  business  man,  well 
fitted  for  the  practical  duties  of  legislation.  .  He  capably 
represents  the  commercial  interests  of  that  important  inland 
city,  with  which  he  has  been  identified  many  years.  He 
was  born  in  Stoddard,  Cheshire  county,  N.  H.,  November 
26, 1832.    He  is,  therefore,  in  the  prime  of  a  vigorous  and 


308  Life  Skewhes, 

finely-developed  manhood.  He  is  of  English  descent,  his 
ancestors  having  emigrated  to  this  country  about  the  year 
1700.  He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools,  Marlow 
Academy,  and  Tubbs'  Union  Academy  at  Washington, 
N.  H.  His  schooling  was  therefore  very  thorough,  and 
enables  him  to  be  well  armed,  at  all  points,  for  the  battle  of 
life. 

Mr.  Tayloe  engaged  in  business  pursuits  very  soon  after 
reaching  his  majority,  and  by  dint  of  industry  and  persever- 
ance he  has  become  one  of  the  "  solid  men  "  of  Eochester. 
For  several  years  he  was  engaged  in  the  manufacture  and 
sale  of  boots  and  shoes,  and  he  built  up  a  large  trade  in  that 
line  of  business.  A  few  years  ago,  however,  he  commenced 
the  manufacture  of  thermometers,  barometers,  and  other 
meteorological  instruments ;  and  to  this  he  mainly  devotes 
his  attention  at  present. 

Mr.  Taylor  was  born  and  educated  a  Democrat,  and 
nothing  has  ever  been  able  to  swerve  him  from  what  he 
regards  as  the  principles  of  that  party.  He  has  always,  since 
an  early  age,  taken  an  active  part  in  the  local  politics  of 
Rochester,  and  enjoys  the  confidence  of  his  party  in  an  unlim- 
ited degree.  The  proof  of  this  is  found  in  the  fact  that,  for 
several  years,  he  was  a  Member  of  the  Rochester  Board  of 
Aldermen,  and  during  one  year  was  President  of  the  Com- 
mon Council,  and  also  in  the  fact  that  he  was  elected  to  the 
Assembly  by  the  very  large  majority  of  1,054,  the  People's 
ticket  the  previous  year  receiving  a  majority  of  173.  He 
was  opposed  in  the  canvass  by  JoHi^  Bower,  a  well-known 
Republican. 

Mr.  Taylor  obtrudes  himself  upon  public  notice  very 
little,  but  he  is  known  as  a  very  efficient  member  of  the 
Assembly. 


Samuel  W.  Tewksburt.  309 


SAMUEL  W.  TEWKSBURY. 


Wyoming  county  is  represented  this  year  by  Samuel  Wil- 
LARD  Tewksburt,  of  Perry  Centre.  He  is  a  plain,,  substan- 
tial farmer,  past  the  meridian  of  life,  and  though  he  has  fre- 
quently held  political  office,  he  maintains  the  character  of  a 
man  who  is  thoroughly  incorruptible  and  upright  in  all  his 
dealings.  He  was  born  in  York,  Livingston  county,  on  the 
23d  of  July,  1820,  and  is  of  New  England  parentage.  He 
received  his  education  partly  in  the  common  schools  and 
party  in  Middleburgh  Academy,  which  he  attended  during 
the  years  1838  and  1839.  After  leaving  school  he  turned 
his  attention  to  teaching,  and  for  several  years  he  followed 
that  honorable  pursuit.  He  finally  purchased  the  farm  on 
which  he  now  resides,  and,  during  a  long  series  of  years,  he 
has  been  known  as  a  prosperous,  hard-working  agricultu- 
ralist. 

Mr.  Tewksburt's  first  political  lessons  were  learned  in 
the  Whig  party,  with  which  he  was  identified  until  1856. 
In  that  year  he  supported  Fremont  for  President,  and  since 
then  he  has  been  a  straightforward,  conscientious  and  active 
Republican,  fully  in  sympathy  with  the  efforts  to  extirpate 
the  slave  power,  as  well  as  with  the  distinctive  principles  of  the 
Republican  party.  His  sterling  traits  of  character  have  evi- 
dently been  known  and  marked  by  his  neighbors  and  politi- 
cal friends,  as  he  has  frequently  been  called  upon  to  fill  local 
positions  of  responsibility.  During  a  period  of  eleven  years 
he  was  Town  Superintendent  of  Common  Schools,  five  times 
he  was  elected  Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  during  six  years  he 
represented  his  town  in  the  Board  of  Supervisors.  In  the 
important  Republican  State  Conventions,  held  in  1868  and 
1872,  he  was  a  delegate  from  Wyoming  county.  In  all  these 
positions  he  has  invariably  sought  to  perform  his  duties  with 
a  single  eye  to  the  public  good,  and  he  comes  to  the  Legis- 


310  Life  Sketches, 

lature,  and  will  leave  it,  with  a  record  which  is  not  tarnished 
in  any  way. 

In  the  recent  Assembly  canvass  he  was  chosen  over  Rus- 
sell C.  MoRDOFF,  the  Democratic  candidate,  by  a  majority  of 
640,  a  decided  gain  over  the  Republican  majority  the  previous 
year.  In  1870,  the  Liberals  and  Democrats  carried  the 
county,  on  Member,  by  718  majority.  He  is  a  Member  of 
the  Committees  on  Charitable  and  Religious  Societies,  and 
Agriculture.  He  does  not  often  indulge  himself  in  speech- 
making,  but  in  other  and  more  effective  ways  he  is  an 
exceedingly  valuable  member. 


HENEY  THORP. 


Another  of  the  older  members,  in  point  of  age,  and  also 
another  of  the  farmer  legislators,  is  found  in  the  person  of 
Henry  Thorp,  of  Butternuts,  Otsego  county.  His  life 
presents  nothing  specially  remarkable  for  the  pen  of  the 
biographer,  but  it  is  a  record  of  honest,  manly  endeavor, 
rewarded  by  a  fair  measure  of  success,  and,  what  is  worth 
more  than  lucre,  the  respect  and  esteem  of  those  who  best 
know  him.  Henry  Thorp  was  born  in  Butternuts,  his 
present  place  of  residence,  on  the  24th  of  February,  1816. 
He  is  thus  about  fifty-eight  years  of  age.  His  father,  Edward 
Thorp,  was  born  in  Greenwich,  Conn.,  in  February,  1776, 
and  was,  therefore,  a  little  more  venerable  than  the  Ameri- 
can Union.  Young  Thorp  received  considerable  educa- 
tion at  home,  but  this  was  supplemented  by  the  common 
school  and  the  academy,  and  when  he  reached  manhood  he 
was  very  fairly  educated.  On  the  19th  of  February,  1840, 
he  was  married  at  IJnadilla,  Otsego  county,  to  Mary  H. 
Buckley. 

Mr.  Thorp  is  known  as  a  Liberal  Republican.    He  was 


Elbert  Townsend,  311 

nominated  for  the  Assembly  by  a  joint  Convention  of  Liberals 
and  Democrats,  and  received  a  majority  of  142,  over  Henry 
Cope,  Republican,  whom  he  succeeds  in  the  Assembly.  Mr. 
Thorp  was  never  a  Democrat,  though  in  view  of  his  present 
affiliations,  he  is  sometimes  classed  as  such.  He  is  a  man  of 
independent  views,  and  in  his  party  action  is  guided  by  what 
he  believes  to  be  right. 


ELBERT  TOWNSEND. 


If  physiognomy  be  any  indication  of  character,  the  subject 
of  this  notice  may  be  safely  set  down  as  one  of  nature's  noble- 
men. A  plain,  honest  face  is  Mr.  Townsend's,  and  one 
which  gives  little  encouragement  to  the  designing  horde  of 
lobbyists  which  swarm  aboflt  the  Capitol.  Coming  from  a 
portion  of  the  State  rich  in  agricultural  resources  and  in  all 
the  elements  of  material  prosperity,  he  has  little  sympathy 
with  the  schemes  of  political  adventurers,  and  his  efforts  as 
a  legislator  are  therefore  directed  to  the  accomplishment  of 
that  which  is  for  the  best  interests  of  the  commonwealth, 
and  the  immediate  locality  which  he  represents.  He  was 
born  in  Pavilion,  Genesee  county,  January  28, 1842,  and  lias, 
therefore,  just  passed  his  32d  year.  His  father,  Ashley 
Townsend,  who  died  about  fourteen  years  ago,  was  a  native 
of  Vermont,  though  he  settled  in  western  New  York  soon 
after  his  marriage,  and  was  the  inventor  of  the  first  threshing 
machine  used  in  that  section  of  the  country.  Young  Towns- 
end  was  brought  up  on  his  father's  farm,  and  educated  in 
the  common  schools.  He  married  Miss  Emilie  Olmsted  in 
1862,  and  since  then  has  successfully  managed  a  large 
farm,  devoting  his  attention  especially  to  the  breeding  of 
Spanish  merino  sheep  and  Durham  cattle.  His  efforts  in 
this  direction  have  gained  for  him  quite  a  reputation  among 


312  Life  SxETcnEfi. 

the  farmers  of  western  New  York,  and  he  has  already  accom- 
plished much  toward  the  improvement  of  farm  stock  in  that 
section.  In  1872  he  was  President  of  the  Genesee  County 
Agricultural  Society,  and  has  always  taken  an  active  interest 
in  the  welfare  of  that  organization.  Though  he  has  always 
been  identified  with  the  Republican  party,  and  generally 
exerted  a  strong  influence  in  behalf  of  its  nominees,  he  has 
very  rarely  accepted  public  position.  Before  he  was  twenty- 
one  years  of  age  he  had  served  two  years  as  Town  Clerk,  and 
he  was  subsequently  Justice  of  the  Peace  for  four  years.  His 
election  to  the  Assembly  in  1872  was  entirely  unsought,  and 
the  fact  that  he  received  in  that  year  a  majority  several  hun- 
dred in  excess  of  the  Republican  majority  of  1871,  was  a 
sufficient  indication  of  the  regard  in  which  he  is  held  at 
home.  Last  fall  he  was  re-elected  by  a  gratifying  majority, 
notwithstanding  the  influence  of  local  issues.  Mr.  Towii^s- 
EKD  served  acceptably  in  1873  as  a  member  of  the  Commit- 
tees on  Agriculture,  Grievancis  and  Indian  Affairs.  This 
year  he  is  Chairman  of  Manufacture  of  Salt  and  member  of 
Charitable  and  Religious  Societies.  He  is  a  man  of  robust 
physique,  and  possesses  an  intelligent  appreciation  of  the 
duties  of  a  legislator. 


COMMODORE    P.  YEDDER. 


Few  members  of  the  present  Assembly  exert  a  more  com- 
manding influence  or  possess  greater  legislative  talent  than 
Mr.  Vedder.  He  is  known  throughout  the  State  as  an 
active,  earnest  and  independent  Republican,  who,  while 
unswerving  in  his  party  fealty,  is  nevertheless  incapable  of 
being  made  the  tool  of  cliques  or  rings.  He  is  a  man  of 
exceptionally  clear  views  of  public  interest  as  well  as  of 
party  policy,  while  his  convictions  regarding  all  questions 


Commodore  P.  Vedder.  313 

are  the  result  of  careful  reflection  and  the  exercise  of  sound 
judgment.  When  once  formed  they  are  tenaciously 
adhered  to. 

Mr.  Vedder  is  the  son  of  American  parents,  his  father, 
Jacob  Vedder,  being  an  industrious  Cattaraugus  county 
farmer.  He  was  born  in  EUicottville,  his  present  place  of 
residence,  on  the  23d  of  February,  1838.  Before  reaching 
man's  estate  he  spent  five  years  as  a  sailor  on  the  lakes.  He 
secured  a  good  education,  partially  in  the  common  schools, 
but  mainly  in  the  Springville  Academy,  which  he  entered  in 
his  twentieth  year.  Afterward  he  studied  law,  and  was 
admitted  to  the  bar  in  1866.  In  1862,  after  teaching  school 
a  few  months,  he  enlisted  as  a  private  in  the  154th  regiment. 
New  York  Volunteers,  and  remained  with  the  regiment  until 
the  close  of  the  war,  participating  with  uniform  credit  to 
himself  in  the  battles  of  Chancellorsville,  Wauhatchie, 
Lookout  Valley,  Lookout  Mountain,  Chattanooga,  Rocky- 
faced  Ridge,  Siege  of  Savannah,  and  Bentonville.  He  bore 
an  honorable  part  in  Sherman's  celebrated  march  to 
Atlanta  and  the  sea,  and  for  his  gallant  conduct  in  that  cam- 
paign and  at  Lookout  Mountain  he  was  promoted  succes- 
sively to  Lieutenant-Colonel  of  Volunteers,  1st  Lieutenant, 
Captain  and  Brevet-Major,  U.  S.  A.  His  war  record  is 
therefore  something  to  be  proud  of. 

When  the  war  ended  Mr.  Vedder  commenced  the  practice 
of  the  legal  profession,  in  which  he  has  continued  to  the 
present  time  with  marked  success.  In  1867  he  was  appointed 
Register  in  Bankruptcy,  and  still  holds  the  office.  He  was 
also  Assessor  of  Internal  Revenue  from  May  10,  1869,  until 
May  4,  1871,  filling  the  office,  as  he  fills  every  position,  to 
the  satisfaction  of  every  one  interested.  In  the  fall  of  1871, 
he  was  elected  member  of  Assembly  by  a  majority  of  401, 
defeating  Charles  S.  Cary,  his  Democratic  competitor.  In 
1872  he  defeated  the  same  opponent  by  a  majority  of  688, 
after  a  very  sharp  canvass,  in  which  the  combined  strength 
of  the  Liberal  Republican  and  Democratic  elements  was 
40 


314  Life  Sketches. 

brought  against  him,  and  herculean  efforts  made  to  defeat 
him.  Last  fall  he  was  elected  over  Wm.  F.  Weed,  by  a 
majority  of  386. 

Mr.  Vedder's  course  in  the  Assembly  has  been  in  every 
way  creditable  to  himself  and  to  his  constituents.  In  1872 
he  served  on  the  Judiciary  Committee,  of  which  he  is  still  a 
prominent  member,  and  took  an  active  part  in  the  investiga- 
tion into  the  conduct  of  the  New  York  judges.  He  was^lso 
Chairman  of  the  committee  which  drew  up  the  articles  of 
impeachment  against  Judge  Barn'Ard,  and  was  one  of  the 
managers  selected  by  the  House  to  conduct  the  trial  of  that 
unworthy  wearer  of  the  ermine.  His  connection  with  these 
momentous  proceedings  added  largely  in  developing  his  fine 
legal  talents,  and  added  greatly  to  his  reputation.  He  has 
been  prominently  identified  with  much  of  the  important 
legislation  of  this  and  the  last  session,  serving  on  several 
committees  faithfully  and  well.  Besides  occupying  the 
second  place  on  the  Judiciary  Committee,  he  is  now  Chairman 
of  Privileges  and  Elections,  and  Local  and  Special  Laws. 

As  an  orator,  Mr.  Vedder  has  few  equals.  Though  he 
always  speaks  extemporaneously,  and  often  without  prepara- 
tion, his  efforts  upon  the  floor  are  generally  models  of  com- 
pact symmetrical  argument.  He  clothes  his  ideas  in  direct 
and  forcible,  yet  elegant,  phraseology.  Sometimes  bold  almost 
to  audacity  in  his,  utterances,  especially  when  discussing 
political  questions,  he  frequently  rises  to  heights  of  eloquence 
attained  by  few  public  speakers. 

Previous  to  the  war,  Mr.  Vedder  was  a  Democrat,  but  the 
reverberation  of  the  first  gun  at  Sumter  affected  him  much 
as  it  did  thousands  of  other  honest  Democrats  throughout 
the  Sta-te.  The  so-called  Democracy  was  effectually  elimi- 
nated from  his  political  constitution.  He  has  since  acted 
consistently  with  the  Republican  party,  and  is  popular  with 
men  of  all  parties,  as  his  personal  and  social  qualities  are  of 
the  most  genial  character.  Whether  we  regard  him  in  his 
private  or  public  life,  he  is  above  reproach,  and  is  in  all 


Louis  C.  Waehner.  315 

respects  an  honest,  able  and  efficient  legislator.  He  is  a  man 
of  fine  personal  appearance  and  unusually  pleasing  address, 
and  evidently  has  a  brilliant  career  yet  before  him. 


LOUIS  C.   WAEHNER. 


The  Tenth  district  of  New  York  city  is  represented  by  a 
brilliant  young  lawyer,  who,  since  his  advent  in  legislative 
halls,  has  taken  a  front  rank  in  point  of  ability  and  address. 
Louis  C.  Waehner  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York  in 
1847.  He  is  therefore  one  of  the  youngest  members  of  the 
present  House.  He  is  of  German  parentage,  both  his  parents 
being  still  living  and  residents  of  the  metropolis.  Mr. 
Waehner's  education  was  obtained  almost  wholly  in  the 
public  schools  of  New  York  city,  and  it  is  apparent  that  the 
excellence  and  efficiency  of  those  institutions  can  scarcely  be 
questioned  if  they  habitually  turn  out  such  scholars  as  the 
subject  of  our  sketch.  On  leaving  school,  he  studied  law  for 
a  time  with  Stillwell  &  Swain,  of  New  York  city,  and 
about  six  years  ago  he  was  admitted  to  the  bar. 

Mr.  Waehner's  political  career  is  necessarily  brief.  He 
has  always  been  a  Democrat,  however,  and  very  decided  in 
his  convictions.  His  position  as  a  legislator  is  the  first  office 
he  has  held,  though  he  has  generally  been  quite  active  in 
political  campaigns,  and  in  the  fall  of  1872  he  ran  as  an 
independent  candidate  for  the  Assembly,  and  was  defeated. 

In  the  present  House  he  is  making  an  exceedingly  honor- 
able record.  He  is  an  excellent  speaker,  and  takes  occasion 
to  express  his  views  upon  almost  every  important  subject. 
He  has  a  fine  and  rather  commanding  presence,  a  powerful 
and  resonant  voice,  and  a  good  delivery.  He  is  also  felicitous 
in  the  choice  of  language  while  on  the  floor,  and  there  are  not 
a  few  who  rank  him  among  the  best  orators  in  the  present 
Assembly. 


316  Life  Sketches, 


ALFRED  WAGSTAFF,  Jr. 


Colonel  Wagstaff  was  born  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
March  21,  1844.  He  is  of  English  and  French  extraction. 
His  maternal  ancestors  (the  Du  Boises)  came  from  Holland, 
where  they  had  sought  a  refuge  from  the  persecutions  visited 
upon  the  Huguenots  in  France,  and  settled  on  the  banks  of 
the  Hudson.  Like  many  others  of  their  compatriots  who 
found  a  safe  asylum  from  persecution  in  this  country,  they 
were  noted  for  intelligence,  thrift  and  honesty,  and  some  of 
them  have  held  high  positions  of  honor. 

Mr.  Wagstaff  received  a  classical  education,  graduating 
from  the  Columbia  College  Law  School  on  the  18th  of  May, 
1866,  with  the  degree  of  LL.B.  He  was  admitted,  in  the 
Second  Judicial  district,  as  a  Member  of  the  Bar  of  the 
State  of  New  York,  and  is  now  successfully  practicing  his 
profession  in  New  York  city,  where  he  has  acquired  an 
extended  reputation  as  a  keen  and  able  lawyer. 

During  the  war  Colonel  Wagstaff  took  an  active  and 
honorable  part  in  the  conflict  with  the  South.  In  1863  he  was 
commissioned  Colonel  of  the  Sixteenth  Eegiment,  New  York 
State  National  Guard,  serving  with  his  regiment  during  the 
Brooklyn  Draft  Eiots.  In  the  summer  of  1864  he  was  with 
his  command  in  the  United  States  service,  and  had  com- 
mand of  the  Staten  Island  forts.  He  was  commissioned 
First  Lieutenant  in  the  Ninety-first  Eegiment,  New  York 
Veteran  Volunteers,  November  12,  1864,  and  was  detailed  to 
the  staff  of  General  Morris,  and  subsequently  as  Commis- 
missary  of  Prisoners,  and  left  Fort  McHenry  for  Virginia.  In 
February,  1865,  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Major  in  the 
same  regiment  by  Governor  Fentois",  upon  strong  recom- 
mendations not  only  from  Colonel  Tarbell  and  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  DoN'ELSON",  but  from  General  Morris,  who  wrote  a 
letter  to  the  Governor  expressing  warm  praise  of  the  military 


Alfred  Wag  staff,  Jr.  317 

ability  of  his  staff  oflBcer.  Soon  after  he  was  appointed 
Chief  of  Staff  by  General  Crawford,  and  served  in  the 
army  of  the  Potomac  until  the  close  of  the  war.  Since  then 
he  has  received  a  Brevet  Lieutenant-Colonelcy,  and  during 
Governor  Fentok's  second  term  he  served  upon  his  staff  as 
aide-de-camp. 

Col.  Wagstaff's  first  prominent  connection  with  politics 
was  in  1866,  when  he  was  a  delegate  from  Suffolk  county  to 
the  Republican  State  Convention  at  Syracuse,  and  was  one 
of  the  Vice-Presidents  of  that  body.  In  the  fall  of  the  same 
year  he  was  nominated  for  Member  of  Assembly  by  the 
Republicans,  and  elected  by  486  majority.  In  the  Legislature 
of  1867  he  made  a  good  record,  serving  as  Chairman  of 
Militia,  and  member  of  that  on  Joint  Library.  In  1868  he 
was  a  delegate  to  the  National  Republican  Convention  at 
Chicago.  Since  then  he  has  been  actively  identified  with 
political  movements  in  New  York  and  elsewhere.  In  187^ 
he  acted  with  tlie  Liberal  Republicans,  and  voted  for  Horace 
Greeley  for  President  Last  fall  he  received  an  Assembly 
nomination  from  the  Democrats  and  Liberal  Republicans  of 
the  Seventh  New  York  district,  and  was  elected  by  a  majority 
of  239,  defeating  ex- Assemblyman  George  W.  Clarke,  a 
Republican,  wliose  majority  the  previous  year  was  1,135. 

Col.  "Wagstaff  is  tall  and  straight  as  an  arrow,  and  of 
very  agreeable  presence.  He  possesses  a  vigorous,  cultivated 
mind,  and  a  retentive  memory.  He  has  a  keen  sense  of  the 
ludicrous  and  a  bright  wit,  which  together  with  an  unend- 
ing store  of  reminiscences,  render  him  an  entertaining 
companion.  He  is  also  a  member  of  unwearying  activity,  in- 
tense energy  and  perseverance.  He  ranks  well  in  the  Assem- 
bly, and  is  what  may  be  termed  a  working  member.  He 
serves  on  the  Committees  on  Insurance,  Militia  and  Griev- 
ances. 


318  Life  Sketches, 


SMITH   M.  WEED. 


Smith  Mead  Weed  was  born  in  the  town  of  Belmont, 
Franklin  county,  N.  Y.,  July  26th,  1833.  His  father,  Eos- 
well  Alcott  Weed,  was  born  at  Lebanon,  N.  H.,  1798,  and 
died  at  Plattsburgh,  N.  Y.,  in  the  year  1869.  His  mother, 
Sarah  A.  Mead,  a  daughter  of  Smith  Mead,  a  prominent 
citizen  of  Clinton  county,  and  who  participated  in  the  battle 
of  Plattsburgh,  is  still  living. 

Mr.  Weed,  after  receiving  a  good  common  school  and 
academic  education,  attended  the  Harvard  University  Law 
School,  where  he  graduated  in  1857,  with  the  degree  of 
Bachelor  of  Laws.  He  immediately  entered  upon  the  prac- 
tice of  law  in  Plattsburgh,  becoming  a  copartner  with 
Messrs.  Beck  with  &  Johnsois'  of  that  place.  He  very  soon 
displayed  more  than  ordinary  ability  and  skill  in  his  pro- 
fession, and,  from  1857  to  1865,  was  constantly  occupied  with 
its  duties.  In  1865,  Mr.  Weed  was  elected  President  of  the 
village  of  Plattsburgh,  which  office  he  continued  to  till  for  a 
number  of  terms.  In  the  same  year  he  first  appeared  in 
political  life  as  Member  of  the  Assembly  from  Clinton 
county.  He  was  returned  to  the  Legislature  for  the  two 
following  years,  and  in  1866  received  from  his  party  the  com- 
pliment of  being  its  candidate  for  Speaker. 

In  1867,  Mr.  Weed  was  elected  Delegate-at- Large  to  the 
Constitutional  Convention.  One  of  his  speeches  made  in 
that  body  on  the  separate  submission  of  the  negro  suffrage 
clause,  attracted  considerable  attention  at  the  time.  In  it  he 
avowed  his  belief  that  the  colored  people  of  the  State 
possessed  sufficient  capacity  and  intelligence  to  vote.  He 
had,  in  1865,  voted  for  the  amendment  to  the  Constitution 
of  the  United  States  prohibiting  slavery,  and  in  the  Assem- 
bly, in  1867,  urged  that  the  negroes  of  the  State  be  alloTved 
to  vote  for  delegates  to  the  State  Constitutional  Convention. 


Smith  M.  Weed.  319 

In  fact,  Mr.  Weed  then  occupied  the  liberal  ground  which 
his  party  have  rather  slowly  come  up  to  since,  and  was  cer- 
tainly one  of  the  first  Democrats  in  the  country  to  urge  the 
propriety  of  the  "  New  Departure." 

In  1868  Mr.  "Weed  was  engaged  as  senior  counsel,  on  the 
part  of  the  State,  by  the  managers  of  the  impeachment  of 
Canal  Commissioner  Dorn.  He  made  the  principal  argu- 
ment for  the  prosecution  in  that  case,  which  is  reported  in 
the  volume  of  the  proceedings  at  that  trial. 

In  1871  Mr.  Weed  was  again  returned  to  the  Legislature 
from  Clinton  county,  During  this  term,  when  "  Tammany" 
was  in  the  very  pride  of  its  strength,  he  came,  almost  single- 
handed,  in  collision  with  its  schemes.  As  a  member  of  the 
then  Railroad  Committee,  he  successfully  resisted  the  designs 
of  the  strikers  upon  the  Delaware  and  Hudson  Canal  Com- 
pany. He,  as  a  member  of  that  Committee,  proposed  and 
submitted  to  the  Assembly  a  minority  report  in  favor  of  the 
repeal  of  the  Erie  Classification  Act.  That  report  was  con- 
sidered an  able  statement  of  the  question,  and  came  within 
one  vote  of  carrying  against  the  full  power  of  Tammany 
and  Erie.  It  was  the  first  official  document  which  denounced 
the  Erie  Ring  in  unmeasured  terms. 

For  this  Tammany  did  not  forgive  him,  and  although  his 
desire  to  adhere  to  his  party  led  him  to  support,  in  common 
with  other  Democrats,  such  bills  as  had  been  made  party- 
measures  at  this  session,  he  was  thereafter  regarded  as  an 
enemy  of  the  then  party-controlling  influence.  He  was  bru- 
tally assaulted  by  the  notorious  James  Irving,  then  a  power 
with  the  "  Ring,"  for  which  assault  Irving  was  promptly 
driven  from  the  Assembly. 

Since  1865  Mr.  Weed  has  been  a  leading  man  in  North 
Eastern  New  York,  not  only  in  its  politics,  but  in  its  various 
business  interests.  He  is  now  largely  concerned  in  the 
lumbering  and  mining  business  of  Clinton  county.  He  has 
done  much  to  call  attention  to  the  resources  of  that  quarter 
of  the  State,  and  has  labored  with  great  earnestness  for  some 


820  Life  Sketches, 

time  to  bring  railroad  facilities  to  tlie  country  along  the 
western  shore  of  Lake  Champlain.  He  forwarded  very  con- 
siderably the  enterprises  of  the  railroad  on  the  west  side  of 
Lake  Champlain,  and  the  recent  formation  of  the  New  York 
and  Canada  Railroad  Company  with  the  design  of  pushing 
a  through  road  from  Whitehall  to  Montreal,  on  the  west  side, 
is  almost  due  solely  to  his  untiring  efforts.  During  the  ses- 
sion of  1873  he  warmly  advocated  the  passage  of  the  Cham- 
plain  Ship  Canal  Bill,  and  secured  its  passage  through  the 
Assembly. 

In  business,  Mr.  Weed  is  enterprising  and  sagacious.  As 
a  lawyer  and  political  speaker,  he  commands  attention  more 
by  the  substance  of  his  matter  than  by  any  graces  of  diction 
or  manner.  He  has  not  the  "gift  of  gab  "or  facility  of 
fluent  declamation.  His  ideas  are  always  put  into  the 
plainest  and  shortest  words.  He  needs  antagonism  to  bring 
him  out,  and  is  strongest  in  debate  and  repartee. 

In  politics  he  has  always  been  a  Democrat,  and  is  greatly 
attached  to  the  fundamental  ideas  of  that  party.  He  has 
always  stood  on  the  side  of  liberality  and  progress.  Even  in 
his  first  term  in  the  Legislature  he  became  noted  for  his 
advocacy  of  the  Free  School  Law. 

Mr.  Weed  was  married  September  6,  1859,  to  Carrie  L. 
Standish,  seventh  in  lineal  descent  from  Miles  Standish, 
of  Plymouth,  and  daughter  of  Col.  M.  M.  Stakdish,  late  of 
Plattsburgh. 

He  was  elected  to  the  Legislature  of  1873  by  about  250 
majority,  although  his  county  went  for  Grakt  by  about 
500  majority.  Last  fall  he  was  re-elected  by  the  extraordin- 
ary majority  of  1,245.  The  candidate  first  nominated  by  the 
Republicans  withdrew  in  his  favor,  and  when  at  a  late  stage 
of  the  canvass  another  was  nommated,  he  polled  a  very  light 
vote.  Mr.  Weed  is  this  session  the  leader  of  his  party  in  the 
House.  He  was  a  caucus  candidate  for  Speaker  in  opposition 
to  Gen.  Husted,  and  polled  the  full  party  vote.  He  has  dis- 
tinguished himself  by  his  opposition  to  some  of  the  proposed 


George  West.  321 

amendments  to  the  constitution,  notably,  the  Fifth  Article, 
because  of  v/hat  he  regards  its  tendency  to  concentrate  and 
centralize  powers  which  belong  to  the  people.  The  defeat 
of  that  article  is  undoubtedly  due  mainly  to  the  efforts  of 
Mr.  Weed  and  Col.  Spencer.  Mr.  Weed  is  a  member  of  the 
important  Committees  on  Ways  and  Means,  Railroads,  Griev- 
ances and  Rules,  and  by  his  course  in  the  present  House  is 
adding  materially  to  his  already  brilliant  reputation. 


GEORGE  WEST. 


Mr.  West  is  a  fair  representative  of  the  successful  busi- 
ness man.  By  dint  of  energy,  sagacity  and  persevering 
industry,  he  has  risen  in  a  few  years  from  comparative 
poverty  to  opulence,  and  is  now  one  of  the  largest  manufac- 
turers in  the  eastern  section  of  the  State.  His  career  is 
instructive  and  worthy  of  emulation.  Born  in  Keentsbeer, 
Devonshire  county,  England,  on  the  17th  of  February,  1823, 
of  parents  in  moderate  circumstances,  he  had  very  little 
adventitious  aid  in  making  a  future  for  himself.  He  received 
a  good  common  school  education,  however,  and  inherited  from 
his  pareiics  industrious  habile  and  a  robust  coL3titution. 
With  these  as  his  capital  he  commenced  the  battle  of  life. 
His  father  and  uncle  were  paper  makers,  but  he  served  a 
thorough  apprenticeship  with  John  DEWDNEY,one  of  the  lead- 
ing manufacturers  in  tWe  west  of  England,  learning  the  busi- 
ness in  all  its  branches.  Soon  after  reaching  his  majority  he 
married  an  English  girl,  whose  prudent  management  and 
wise  counsel,  no  doubt,  contributed  in  no  small  degree  to  his 
success.  He  soon  discovered  that  England  failed  to  afford 
full  scope  for  his  abilities,  and,  in  1849,  when  he  had  reached 
his  twenty-sixth  year,  he  came  with  his  young  wife  to  this 
country.  When  he  arrived  on  our  shores  he  was  almost  pen- 
41 


322  Life  Sketches. 

niless,  but  he  possessed  a  good  stock  of  indomitable  pluck, 
He  procured  employment  in  New  Jersey,  where  he  worked 
about  a  year.  From  there  he  went  to  Massachusetts,  where 
he  obtained  employment  in  a  paper  mill  as  an  ordinary  opera- 
tive, continuing  in  that  capacity  about  three  years.  Ulti- 
mately his  employers  discerned  and  appreciated  his  value,  and 
he  soon  found  himself  the  responsible  manager  of  one  of  the 
largest  manufactories  of  writing  paper  in  the  Bay  State. 
During  several  years'  experience  in  that  position,  he  rapidly 
developed  the  sterling  qualities  by  which  he  finally  won  suc- 
cess; and  before  he  had  been  ten  years  in  this  country  he 
became  a  partner  in  an  extensive  paper  mill.  In  the  year 
1860  he  sold  out  his  business  in  Massachusetts,  and  seeing  a 
favorable  opening  at  Ballston  Spa,  removed  thither.  How 
well  time  has  demonstrated  the  wisdom  of  his  venture  is 
shown  by  the  fact  that  he  is  now  sole  proprietor  of  five 
large  paper  mills,  all  of  which  are  run  exclusively  on  manilla 
paper,  used  in  the  manufacture  of  grocers'  bags,  and  also 
a  paper  bag  manufactory,  which  turns  out  from  eighty"  to  one 
hundred  million  of  those  bags  per  year,  transacting  in  con- 
nection therewith  a  business  which  averages  about  $65,000 
monthly.  He  is  also  an  equal  partner  in  the  firm  of  Gair 
&  West,  whose  depot  for  the  sale  of  paper,  paper  bags  and 
twine  is  located  at  No.  143  Eeade  street,  New  York,  as 
well  as  director  in  the  First  National  Bank  of  Ballston  Spa, 
and  the  largest  individual  stockholder  in  the  bank. 

In  personal  appearance,  Mr.  West  is  a  good  specimen  of 
the  sturdy  Briton.  Though  short  of  stature,  his  robust  form 
and  broad  shoulders  seem  well  able  to  carry  the  massive  and 
well-developed  head,  which  seems  a  fit  repository  for  a  brain 
of  more  than  ordinary  activity.  He  bears  with  him,  how- 
ever, the  air  and  manner  of  one  who  has  earned  the  right  to, 
take  the  world  easy,  aiid  the  geniality  characterizing  his  in- 
tercourse with  others  strengthens  such  an  impression  in  the 
mind  of  one  who  judges  men  by  first  impressions.  He  is  a 
man  of  much  earnestness  of  character,  and  is  still  a  hard 


Elisha  S.  Whalen,  323 

worker,  carrying  much  of  his  energy  and  thoroughness  in 
the  committee  rooms,  though  he  very  rarely  attempts  to 
make  more  than  a  brief  and  pointed  off-hand  speech  on  the 
floor  of  the  House. 

Mr.  West  has  always  been  an  ardent  Republican,  and 
enjoys  a  large  degree  of  popularity  in  his  own  district,  as  is 
evidenced  by  the  fact  that  he  was  elected  to  the  Assembly  of 
1872  by  the  large  majority  of  1,166  over  William  T.  Odell, 
his  Democratic  competitor.  In  the  fall  of  1872  he  was  re- 
elected without  opposition,  no  other  candidate  being  nomi- 
nated, and  in  the  last  Legislature  was  the  only  member  of 
the  Assembly  having  no  vote  against  him.  Last  fall  local 
issues  which  arose  rendered  him  less  fortunate,  his  majority 
over  George  A.  Ensign,  his  Democratic  opponent  being 
420.  Mr.  West  is  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Trade  and 
Manufactures,  and  member  of  Public  Printing  and  Public 
Lands. 


ELISHA  S.  WHALEN. 


Mr.  Whalen  was  born  in  the  town  of  Milton,  Saratoga 
county,  N.  Y.,  March  24,  1817.  He  had  common  school  ad- 
vantages until  the  age  of  thirteen  years,  when  his  business 
life  commenced  as  clerk  in  a  country  store  at  Rock  City 
Falls,  where  he  remained  about  two  years ;  thence  he  went  to 
West  Milton  in  the  same  capacity,  remaining  there  until 
November,  1836,  when  he  left  for  western  New  York,  spend- 
ing the  following  winter  with  his  father's  family  in  Monroe 
county,  whither  they  had  preceded  him  by  two  or  three  years. 
He  went  to  the  village  of  Medina,  in  March,  1837,  poor  and 
unknown,  but  armed  with  a  letter  signed  by  the  then  prom- 
inent men  of  Milton  and  Ballston  Spa,  •'  commending  him 
to  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all  with  whom  he  might 


324  Life  Sketches. 

make  either  acquaintance  or  business."  Securing  a  situation 
at  once  with  a  prominent  firm,  carrying  on  a  large  country 
store,  post-office,  grain  warehouse  and  a  potash  factory,  he 
commenced  a  new  business  career  at  $10  per  month  on  trial ; 
after  two  months'  service  he  was  promoted  to  the  situation  of 
book-keeper,  confidential  clerk  and  $400  per  annum,  then 
the  largest  salary  paid  in  the  village.  He  has  been  in  active 
business  life  since  as  subordinate  or  principal,  having  been 
engaged  in  merchandising,  merchant,  milling,  and  as  pro- 
duce dealer  since  1841,  retiring  last  September  (on  account 
of  impaired  health)  on  a  moderate  competency.  He  is  a 
director  of  the  Union  Bank  of  Medina,  and  was  one  of  the 
original  directors  of  the  projected  Niagara  River  and  New 
York  Air  Line  Railroad,  organized  during  the  present  year. 
He  was  a  Democrat  up  to  the  organization  of  the  American 
party ;  joined  the  Republican  party  on  the  Kansas  question, 
and  has  acted  with  that  party  since  ;  was  Supervisor  in  1851 
and  1852,  and  again  1871  and  1872,  and  is  Chairman  of  the 
present  Board;  was  chosen  Member  of  Assembly  by  the 
American  party  at  a  special  election,  held  December  26,  1854, 
in  place  of  Alexis  Ward,  deceased,  over  Bordei^"  H.  Mills, 
Whig  and  Democrat,  by  over  1,000  majority;  was  Presi- 
dential Elector  in  1861,  casting  his  vote  in  the  electoral 
cT-llege  for  LiN"OL?r  and  HA^nJN";  wa=i  chosen  to  the 
Assembly  in  1872  by  1,385  majority,  over  Dr.  Thomas 
CusHiN'G,  Liberal,  and  re-elected  last  fall  by  a  majority  of 
808  over  Asahel  Byikgton",  Democrat. 

On  the  6th  of  August,  1844,  Mr.  Whalen"  was  married  to 
Miss  Catharii^e  Groff,  who  has  contributed  largely  to  his 
life  success.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Methodist  Episcopal 
Church,  of  which  he  is  trustee,  treasurer  and  district  steward, 
and  was  lay  delegate  to  the  last  annual  conference  of  the 
Genesee  district. 

His  father  was  American  born,  of  Irish  descent,  and  a 
farmer  in  comfortable  circumstances ;  his  mother  is  of  Ger- 
man descent,  American  born,  and  both  are  deceased. 


Jacob  M.  Witbeck.  325 

He  served  last  year  on  the  Committee  of  Ways  and  Means 
and  Grievances.  This  year  he  is  chairman  of  Indian 
Affairs  and  a  member  of  Expenditures  of  the  Executive 
Department. 


JACOB  M.  WITBECK. 


Mr.  "Witbeck  is  engaged  extensively  in  milling  at  Nassau, 
Rensselaer  county,  N.  Y.,  where  he  resides,  and  is  also  a 
partner  in  a  large  brick  business  at  Castleton.  He  was  born 
on  the  17th  of  September,  1820,  in  the  town  of  Schodack, 
Rensselaer  county,  and  is  of  Dutch  descent.  His  paternal 
grandfather  came  from  Holland,  and  was  one  of  the  first 
settlers  in  Schodack,  on  the  Van  Rensselaer  Manor.  Mr. 
Witbeck  may  be  styled  a  self-made  man.  At  the  age  of 
eleven  he  was  taken  from  school  and  left  to  work  his  own 
way  in  the  world.  His  subsequent  career  as  mechanic, 
farmer,  hotel  keeper,  brick  manufacturer  and  miller,  has 
been  a  success  such  as  honesty  and  persevering  industry  only 
can  secure. 

Although  a  life-long  Democrat,  Mr.  Witbeck  was  elected 
Supervisor  of  the  town  of  Nassau,  one  of  the  strongest 
Republican  towns  in  the  county,  in  1868,  an  undoubted 
tribute  to  his  patriotic  eflfbrts  in  raising  soldiers  during  the 
dark  days  of  the  war.  His  position  throughout  the  com- 
munity in  which  he  is  best  known,  is  that  of  a  man  of  influ- 
ence, character,  and  real  moral  worth.  Mr.  Witbeck  was 
married  June  7,  1848,  to  Miss  Amakda  Niver,  of  Kinder- 
hook,  Columbia  county.  N.  Y.,  and  attends  the  Reformed 
church. 

He  is  an  excellent  working  member  of  the  House,  and 
serves  on  the  Committees  on  Federal  Relations,  and  Two- 
thirds  and  Three-fifths  Bills. 


326  Life  Sketches. 


AMHERST  WIGHT,  Jr. 


No  portion  of  the  State  is  more  ably  represented  in  the 
Assembly  than  Westchester  county.  Her  three  members 
are  each  of  them  of  marked  character  and  superior  ability. 
It  would  be  invidious  to  draw  a  comparison  between  them, 
but  we  cannot  certainly  transgress  the  bounds  of  propriety 
in  observing  that,  if  such  comparison  were  made,  Mr.  Wight 
would  not  suffer  thereby.  Able,  dignified  and  candid  in 
debate,  and  pleasant  and  courteous  in  his  more  familiar 
intercourse  with  fellow  members,  he  is  respected  by  both 
friends  and  opponents,  while  his  decided  ability  inspires 
genuine  admiration.  He  is  not,  perhaps,  a  brilliant  orator, 
but  his  speeches  are  invariably  full  of  sound  sense,  expressed 
in  well-chosen  language.  He  shows  upon  the  floor  much 
less  of  the  politician  than  of  the  lawyer,  while  he  brings  to 
the  discussion  of  the  important  legal  topics  of  the  present 
session  extensive  learning  fortified  by  large  experience  and 
exhaustive  reading. 

Mr.  Wight  was  born  in  New  York  city,  August  15,  1828, 
and  has  therefore  passed  his  forty-fifth  year.  He  is  the  son 
of  Amherst  Wight,  Sr.,  a  native  of  Belli ngham,  Mass.,  who 
is  still  living  at  the  age  of  eighty-two  years,  having  been  a 
prominent  member  of  the  bar  of  this  State  for  more  than 
half  a  century.  Mr.  Wight's  mother  was  Johai^jsta  G. 
Sakderso^^  previous  to  her  marriage,  and  it  is  worthy  of 
note  that  she  was  born  in  the  historic  Hasbrouck  house  at 
Newburgh,  which  was  occupied  in  revolutionary  times  by 
General  WashhsTGTOK  as  his  headquarters.  Mr.  Wight's 
education  is  mainly  self-acquired.  Previous  to  his  thirteenth 
year  he  attended  a  private  school  in  New  York  city,  where, 
of  course,  his  studies  were  almost  entirely  rudimentary. 
When  he  had  reached  that  age,  he  left  school  and  applied 
himself  diligently  to  study,  being  especially  enamored  of  the 


Amherst  Wight,  Jr.  327 

classics,  with  which  he  became  quite  familiar.  Finally  he 
began  the  study  of  hiw,  which  he  prosecuted  until  he 
reached  his  majority.  He  was  then  admitted  to  the  bar,  and 
since  that  time  he  has  practiced  in  the  courts  of  New  York 
city  and  Westchester,  devoting  his  talents  principally  to  that 
branch  of  the  profession  relating  to  real  estate.  He  resided 
in  the  metropolis  until  1859,  when  he  removed  to  Portchester, 
where,  with  the  exception  of  a  brief  period  spent  in  New 
York,  he  has  resided  up  to  the  present  date. 

Mr.  Wight's  political  creed  is  unmistakably  Republican. 
He  has  belonged  to  the  party  since  its  first  organization,  at 
which  time  he  aided  in  forming  the  first  Republican  com- 
mittee in  New  York  city,  being  then  a  resident  of  the  Nintli 
ward  where  the  committee  was  organized.  Though  not* 
properly  speaking,  a  politician,  he  has  always  felt  deep 
interest  in  the  fortunes  of  the  Republican  party,  and,  when 
occasion  required,  has  not  only  assumed  his  share  of  active 
campaign  work,  but  has  often  stepped  into  the  breach,  and 
acted  as  the  party  standard  bearer  in  exciting  local  contests. 
His  town  is  Democratic  by  about  150  majority,  but  we  find 
him,  in  1871,  triumphantly  chosen  to  a  seat  in  the  Board  of 
Supervisors,  to  which  he  was  also  chosen  in  the  following 
year.  In  the  fall  of  1872  he  received  a  spontaneous  nomina- 
tion for  the  Assembly  from  the  Second  district  of  liis  county, 
where  the  Democratic  majority  is  usually  about  800.  The 
opposing  candidate,  Elias  Dusenbury,  possessed  undoubted 
strength,  but  Mr.  Wight  was  successful  by  a  small  majority, 
running  aevcral  hundred  votes  ahead  of  the  Presidential 
ticket.  Last  fall  he  was  re-elected  over  Johk  H.  Corkell, 
Democrat,  by  a  majority  of  93. 

He  was  married  in  1856 ;  became  a  widower  in  1864,  and 
married  again  in  1867.  Although  formerly  connected  with 
Dr.  Osgood's  Unitarian  church  in  New  York  city,  he  has, 
during  late  years,  belonged  to  the  Episcopal  denomination. 
An  amiable,  unpretending  gentleman  in  every  respect,  Mr. 
Wight  has  gained  much   popularity  during  the  present 


328  Life  Sketches. 

session,  and  is  doing  excellent  service  for  the  people  of  West- 
chester county.  Last  year  he  was  Chairman  of  the  Com- 
mittee on  Privileges  and  Elections,  a  member  of  the  Insurance 
Committee,  and  served  also  on  the  special  Erie  Committee. 
In  this  session  he  is  Chairman  of  Insurance,  and  member  of 
Judiciary  and  Sub-Committee  of  the  Whole. 


JOHN  D.  WINFIELD. 


Mr.  Win  FIELD  is  a  man  of  plain  and  even  homely  exterior, 
but  he  evidently  possesses  a  kindly  disposition,  and  is  swayed 
by  honest  impulses.  He  is  a  hardy  and  active  Ulster  county 
farmer,  full  of  vigor  and  common  sense,  and  can  be  relied 
upon,  we  apprehend,  in  almost  any  emergency  which  requires 
the  exercise  of  judgment  and  discretion.  He  was  born  in 
Eochester,  Ulster  county,  April  22,  1833.  His  parents,  both 
of  whom  are  living,  honored  and  respected,  are  James  K. 
and  Elizabeth  AVinfield,  his  mother's  maiden  name  being 
Davis.  In  early  life,  he  obtained  a  fair  education  in  the  com- 
mon schools,  and  such  opportunities  as  he  had  he  made  good 
use  of.  Since  reaching  manhood  he  has  followed  the  bent  of 
his  tastes  and  adhered  to  farming  as  an  occupation,  and  has 
been  quite  successful  in  that  honorable  pursuit.  On  the  30th 
of  October,  1856,  he  was  married  to  Maria  Hoei^beck,  also 
of  Rochester. 

Mr.  Wikfield  has  taken  an  active  part  in  politics  since 
boyhood.  He  has  always  been  a  Democrat,  and  voted  for 
Fillmore  in  1856.  He  has  not  frequently  held  public  office, 
however,  his  only  experience  in  that  regard,  previous  to  his 
legislative  service,  being  as  member  of  the  Board  of  Super- 
visors in  the  years  1867  and  1869,  and  he  is  now  a  member 
of  the  Board.  In  the  Legislature  he  performs  his  duties 
quietly  and  effectively,  but  he  is  not  known  as  a  talking 
member. 


Charles  B.  Wood,  329 


CHARLES  B.  WOOD. 


The  member  from  the  second  district  of  Orange  county  is 
Major  Charles  B.  Wood,  who  now  assumes  the  responsibil- 
ities of  official  position  in  civil  life  for  the  first  time.  He  is, 
however,  an  intelligent  and  active  member  of  the  House, 
and  he  faithfully  looks  after  the  interests  of  his  constitu- 
ents. He  was  born  at  Warwick,  Orange  county,  on  the  3d 
of  September,  1837,  and  is,  therefore,  in  the  early  prime  of 
manhood.  He  was  educated  in  the  public  schools,  and  since 
reaching  manhood  has  mainly  followed  railroading,  his  pres- 
ent occupation  being  conductor  on  the  Erie  railway. 

Major  Wood  was  one  of  the  first  to  volunteer  after  the 
attack  on  Fort  Sumter,  and  was  mustered  into  the  United 
States  service  as  a  private  in  the  71st  Regiment,  New  York 
State  National  Guard,  on  the  19th  of  April,  1861.  Subse- 
quently he  was  promoted  to  Lieutenant  and  then  to  Captain 
in  the  124th  New  York  Volunteers,  and  served  during  nearly 
the  entire  period  of  the  war.  On  the  18th  of  October,  1864, 
he  was  discharged  at  Petersburg  on  account  of  disability 
from  wounds  received  in  action,  and  was  afterward  breveted 
Major  for  gallant  and  meritorious  conduct  during  the  war. 
He  shared  in  all  the  brilliant  record  made  by  the  army  of  the 
Potomac  from  first  to  last,  and  made  a  reputation  as  a  brave 
and  high-minded  officer. 

In  the  recent  Assembly  canvass.  Major  Wood  received  a 
majority  of  892,  over  Beisvamin  F.  Bailey,  his  Republican 
opponent 


330  Life  Sketches. 

PETER  WOODS. 


Mr.  Woods  was  the  opponent,  in  the  fall  of  1872,  of  ex- 
Assemblyman  James  Irving,  the  candidate  of  Apollo  Hall, 
Custom  House  Eepublicans  and  old  Tammany  Ring.  He 
was  the  nominee  of  the  Reformed  Tammany  organization 
and  the  Committee  of  Seventy,  and  was  also  supported  by 
many  Republicans.  Last  fall  he  was  the  regular  Tammany 
and  Liberal  Republican  candidate,  and  was  opposed  by 
Joseph  B.  Varnum,  Republican,  and  Nicholas  Haugh- 
TON",  Apollo  Hall.  He  was  born  in  the  county  of  Monaghan, 
Ireland,  December  15,  1832,  and  is,  therefore,  forty-one  years 
of  age.  At  the  age  of  seventeen  he  came  to  this  country, 
and  located  in  New  York  city,  where  he  has  since  resided. 
He  was  educated  in  the  common  schools  of  Ireland  and  New 
•  York,  learned  the  trade  of  painter  —  plain  and  decorative  — 
and  stands  very  high  in  the  art,  having  been  in  business  as 
an  employer  more  than  fifteen  years.  He  has  been  more  than 
ordinarily  successful,  and  does  a  large  and  growing  business. 

Mr.  Woods'  father  was  a  man  of  fine  culture  and  thorough 
education,  having  been  designed  for  tlie  medical  profession, 
but  he  died  when  the  subject  of  this  sketch  was  but  thirteen 
years  of  age,  leaving,  mainly  in  his  care,  a  large  family  of 
sons  and  daughters.  Except  his  service  in  the  Assembly, 
Mr.  Woods  has  never  held  public  position.  He  served  his 
time,  however,  in  the  New  York  Fire  Department,  and  has 
taken  an  active  part  in  New  York  politics  for  a  number  of 
years,  belonging  to  what  is  known  as  the  Democratic  Union. 
For  over  nine  years  he  persistently  fought  the  old  Tammany 
Ring.  Mr.  Woods  is  a  man  of  great  business  energy,  and 
much  force  of  character,  efficiently  representing  his  district 
in  the  House.  He  is  a  member  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
church,  and  has  been  twice  married,  first  to  Anka  Bren- 
NEN",  in  1858,  and  the  second  time  to  Elizabeth  Lacompt, 
in  1869;  his  first  wife  dying  in  1862. 


Jacob  Worth,  331 


JACOB  WORTH. 


Mr.  Worth  is  a  resident  of  the  sixteenth  ward  of  Brook- 
lyn, and  represents  the  sixth  district  of  Kings  county  in  the 
Assembly.  His  parents  emigrated  from  South  Germany  in 
the  year  1837,  locating  in  New  York  city;  five  years  later  they 
removed  to  Brooklyn,  and  there  the  family  have  since  re- 
sided. Mr.  "Worth  was  bom  in  New  York  soon  after  his 
parents  arrived  in  that  city,  and  therefore  he  is  now  about 
thirty-six  years  of  age.  His  father  died  when  he  was  but 
seven  years  of  age,  and  from  that  time  he  was  practically 
obliged  to  depend  upon  his  own  efforts  to  earn  a  living,  as 
well  as  to  provide  for  his  widowed  mother.  He  thus  had 
very  little  opportunity  to  obtain  an  education.  In  point  of 
fact,  the  first  time  he  ever  saw  the  inside  of  a  school-house 
was  in  1863,  when  he  was  first  a  candidate  for  legislative 
honors.  He  is  therefore  self-made,  as  the  phrase  goes,  and 
self-educated. 

His  life  has  been  quite  eventful.  At  the  age  of  fifteen  he 
went  to  sea,  and,  during  an  absence  of  three  years,  made 
the  circuit  of  the  globe.  Soon  after  his  return  he  entered 
the  political  arena,  and  at  the  early  age  of  nineteen  was 
elected  to  represent  his  ward  in  the  Democratic  General 
Committee.  When  the  war  broke  out  in  1861,  he  was 
enthusiastic  in  championing  the  Union  cause,  and  since  that 
time  he  has  been  a  firm  and  consistent  Republican,  devoting 
much  time  and  effort  in  spreading  a  knowledge  of  the  prin- 
ciples of  his  party  among  his  fellow-countrymen.  It  is 
probably  due  to  him  more  than  to  any  other  man  that,  in 
spite  of  adverse  influences  arising  from  excise  laws  and 
other  issues,  the  Germans  of  the  Eastern  district  of  Brook- 
lyn, comprising  a  large  portion  of  the  population  of  that 
section,  have  been  kept  true  to  Republicanism. 

In  September,  1862,  Mr.  Worth  was  commissioned  a  First 


332  Life  Sketches. 

Lieutenant  in  Col.  OROi^K's  regiment,  the  139tli  New  York, 
and  went  with  his  regiment  to  the  front.  Shortly  after  he 
was  promoted  to  a  Captaincy,  and  was  given  a  command  in 
the  84th  New  York  regiment.  He  participated  with  credit 
in  all  the  battles  and  skirmishes  of  the  regiment  until  the 
latter  part  of  1863,  when  he  resigned  because  of  ill-health. 

In  the  fall  of  the  same  year  he  was  placed  in  the  field  as 
the  Republican  candidate  for  Assembly  in  the  district  com- 
prising the  7th,  15th,  16th  and  19th  wards  of  Brooklyn,  and 
succeeded  in  defeating  Frank  Smith,  the  Democratic  can- 
didate, by  over  1,000  majority.  In  1864  he  was  re-elected 
by  about  700  majority  over  John"  Hanson,  the  district 
giving  the  Democratic  State  ticket  at  the  same  time  500 
majority.  In  1865  he  was  once  more  chosen  to  the  Assembly, 
receiving  about  1,200  majority,  Judge  Eames,  a  very  popular 
man  on  the  Democratic  side,  being  his  opponent.  In  1866 
he  Avas  a  candidate  for  Street  Commissioner  against  Robert 
Fury,  and  was  defeated  by  1,400  votes,  in  a  poH  of  more 
than  48,000,  running  8,800  votes  ahead  of  the  Republican 
State  ticket.  In  the  fall  of  1867  he  was  elected  to  the  Assem- 
bly from  the  district  composed  of  the  16th  and  lOth  wards 
of  Brooklyn,  by  .30  majority,  the  Democratic  State  ticket 
receiving  over  1,100  majority.  In  1868  he  represented  the 
Second  Congressional  district  of  this  State  in  the  Electoral 
College  which  gave  Gen.  Grant  the  34  votes  of  the  Empire 
State.  He  ran  again  for  Assembly  in  1869,  but  was  defeated 
by  Bernard  Haver,  a  Democrat,  by  58  votes,  owing  to  the 
fact  that  an  Independent  Republican  was  in  the  field,  and 
polled  some  458  votes.  In  1872  he  was  again  elected  to  the 
Assembly,  receiving  a  majority  of  555  over  August  Mer- 
RiNGER.  He  is  now  completing  his  sixth  term  in  the  Legis- 
lature, having  been  elected  last  fall  by  a  plurality  of  958 
over  John  Raber,  Democrat,  and  John  Hinman,  Inde- 
pendent. 

It  is  almost  impossible  to  overcome  his  popularity  in  the 
16th  ward.     He  has  sulBfered  much  detraction  at  the  hands 


John  (/Donnell,  333 

of  political  opponents,  but  he  is  ever  ready  to  meet  his 
assailants  face  to  face  on  any  issue,  and  his  manly  course  of 
action  invariably  compels  respect  and  admiration.  His 
energy  and  perseverance  are  distinguishing  traits  in  his  char- 
acter, and  the  Committee  of  One  Hundred  last  year  showed 
obvious  appreciation  of  his  merit,  by  requesting  him  to 
champion  their  Reform  Charter  through  the  Assembly.  It 
is  conceded  that  he  worthily  performed  the  task  allotted  to 
him,  not  hesitating  to  measure  lances  with  the  ablest  debaters 
in  the  House.  Mr.  Worth  has  been  elected  to  represent  the 
ICth  ward  in  the  Republican  General  Committee  every  year 
for  the  past  twelve  years,  and  during  the  past  ten  years  has 
b^en  the  elected  representative  of  his  assembly  district  to  all 
the  State  Conventions  of  the  Republican  party.  He  is  a 
gentleman  of  good  presence  and  commanding  figure,  stand- 
ing six  feet  in  height.  K  he  lives  to  the  usual  age  allotted 
to  man,  he  bids  fair  to  become  as  popular  in  the  State  as  he 
is  now  in  Brooklyn.  He  was  married  in  1861,  and  has  two 
interesting  children. 


JOHN  0'DONNET,L, 

CLERK   OF  THE   ASSEMBLY. 

Though  he  assumed  the  position  without  experience  in  the 
desk  previous  to  last  year,  the  duties  of  Clerk  of  the  Assem- 
bly have  very  rarely  been  better  performed  than  by  ex-Sena- 
tor O'DoNNELL.  The  position  is  one  of  great  labor  and 
responsibility,  and  requires  a  peculiar  order  of  talent  in  the 
incumbent;  but  he  has  shown  that  he  possesses  in  large 
degree  the  special  qualifications  required,  being,  as  all  will 
admit  who  have  watched  him  during  this  and  the  last  ses- 
sions, industrious,  prompt,  methodical,  a  good  reader,  a  clear- 
headed man  of  business,  and  a  pleasant,  courteous  gentleman. 


334  Life  Sketches. 

For  the  admirable  and  orderly  manner  in  which  the  legisla- 
tive business  has  been  transacted,  great  credit  is  primarily 
due  to  Speaker  Husted,  but  his  efforts  would  be  useless  to  a 
great  extent  were  they  not  aided  and  seconded,  as  they  cer- 
tainly have  been,  by  the  tact  and  intelligence  of  the  Olcrk. 
Mr.  O'Doknell's  ability  is  universally  recognized,  and  he 
enjoys  the  confidence  and  esteem  of  all  the  members  of  the 
House. 

JoH]^  O'DoNNELL  is  a  native  of  Fort  Ann,  Washington 
county,  where  he  was  born  in  1827.  His  father  was  born  in 
Ireland  and  his  mother  in  America.  In  early  life  he  removed 
to  Lyme,  Jefferson  county,  and  in  1849  he  settled  in  Low- 
ville,  Lewis  county,  where  he  now  resides.  In  that  place  he 
commenced  trade  as  a  general  merchant,  and  by  earnest  and 
careful  attention  to  business  gradually  extended  his  means 
and  acquired  the  confidence  and  respect  of  his  fellow  citizens. 
He  subsequently  purchased  largely  of  real  estate,  in  central 
and  eligible  business  localities,  and  erected  commodious 
blocks  of  buildings,  extending  along  both  the  main  streets 
of  Lowville,  which  have  added  greatly  to  the  commercial 
facilities  of  the  place.  His  investments  proved  successful  to 
that  extent  that  he,  several  years  ago,  withdrew  from  trade, 
the  leisure  thus  secured  enabling  him  to  render  valuable  ser- 
vice to  the  people  of  the  State  and  the  Eepublican  party,  as 
well  as  to  the  temperance  cause,  with  which  he  has  long  been 
closely  identified. 

He  has  had  a  long  and  honorable  political  career.  In  1864 
he  was  a  member  of  the  Republican  State  Committee,  and 
was  also  a  Delegate  to  the  Baltimore  Convention  which 
renominated  President  Likcoln".  In  the  same  year  he  was 
a  Member  of  Assembly  from  Lewis  county,  serving  in  that 
body  as  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  the  Internal  Affairs 
of  Towns  and  Counties,  and  bestowing  diligent  attention 
upon  the  interests  of  his  constituents  and  such  measures 
as  were  for  the  public  welfare.  During  the  session  he 
secured  the  passage  of  laws  appropriating  about  fifty  thou- 


John  G'Donnell,  335 

sand  dollars  for  improvements  in  Lewis  county,  and  was 
the  author  of  an  important  bill  to  protect  the  butter  and 
cheese  interests  of  the  State.  In  1865  he  was  elected  Senator 
"for  the  Eighteenth  district  (Lewis  and  Jefferson),  in  place 
of  Hon.  James  A.  Bell,  defeating,  by  a  large  majority^ 
Andrew  Cornwall,  his  Democratic  opponent.  During 
his  first  senatorial  term  he  was  Chairman  of  the  Internal 
Affairs  Committee,  and  a  member  of  the  Committees  on 
Insurance  and  Public  Expenditures.  In  his  first  session  he 
reported  and  advocated  the  New  York  Excise  Bill,  and  was 
the  author  of  acts  to  protect  political  primaries,  caucuses  and 
conventions,  and  to  divide  a  safety  fund  of  $80,000  in  the 
Bank  Department  among  the  bill-holders  of  Yates  and  Lewis 
counties  and  reciprocity  banks. 

In  1867  he  distinguished  himself  by  introducing  a  measure, 
noted  for  its  originality  and  success,  and  known  as  the 
"O'Donnell  Railroad  Bill."  It  provided,  in  place  of  State 
aid  to  individual  roads,  a  general  plan  by  which  the  State 
should  aid  any  steam  railroad  in  the  State,  outside  of  New 
York  city  and  county,  that  should  build  and  complete  in 
good  running  order,  where  a  parallel  road  was  not  already 
built  or  in  process  of  building,  within  an  average  distance  of 
ten  miles  thereof,  to  the  amount  of  $5,000  per  mile  for  every 
twenty  miles  of  road.  It  was  with  difficulty  that  a  report, 
even  for  consideration,  could  be  obtained  from  the  Senate 
Railroad  Committee  in  reference  to  the  bill.  At  its  first 
appearance  in  Committee  of  the  Whole  but  two  Senators 
were  in  favor  of  it,  but  a  long  discussion  of  its  merits  changed 
the  current  of  opinion,  and  it  finally  passed  by  a  large  vote. 
Afterward  it  passed  the  Assembly,  but  it  was  vetoed  by 
Governor  Ffnton.  He  also  secured  the  passage  in  the 
Senate  of  bills  to  extend  the  New  York  excise  law  to  the 
State  at  large,  to  suppress  obscene  literature,  and  to  prohibit 
the  employment  of  railroad  employees  who  use  liquors  as  a 
beverage,  but  they  were  all  defeated  in  the  Assembly. 

In  1867  he  was  again  elected  to  the  Senate,  defeating  Lewis 


336  Life  Sketches. 

H.  Brown"  by  1,647  majority.  In  tlie  ensuing  session,  as  a 
reward  for  his  fidelity  to  the  interests  of  the  State,  and  for 
his  unbending  integrity  and  honesty,  he  was  made  Chairman 
of  the  Finance  Committee,  a  position  which  constituted  him 
the  premier  of  the  Senate.  He  was  besides  a  member  of  the 
Committees  on  Printing,  Privileges  and  Elections,  and  Pub- 
lic Health. 

During  this  session  he  devoted  himself  to  the  revision  of 
the  assessment  laws  of  the  State,  and  introduced  a  bill  which 
provided  for  the  taxing  and  assessing  of  corporations  at  the 
Comptroller's  office  in  Albany.  In  pursuance  of  the  order 
of  the  Senate  in  connection  with  his  bill,  for  the  first  time 
in  the  history  of  the  State,  all  the  corporations  made  sworn 
statements  of  the  amount  of  their  capital,  surplus  and  net 
earnings  for  the  preceding  five  years.  These  returns  Avere 
embodied  in  a  report  from  the  Comptroller,  and,  in  an  elabo- 
rate speech  upon  his  bill.  Senator  O'DoK^srELL  claimed  that 
there  was  $870,989,672.39  of  corporate  property  alone  liable 
to  taxation,  and  that  of  this  vast  amount  only  $235,855,172 
was  assessed  for  taxation.  In  1869,  without  his  knowledge, 
he  was  selected  as  Supervisor  of  Internal  Ee venue  for  the 
Northern  District  of  New  York,  which  office  he  held  until 
August,  when,  by  law  of  Congress,  the  two  districts  in  the 
State  were  consolidated  into  one.  In  the  late  Presidential 
canvass,  Senator  O'Doi^'i^ell  took  the  stump  for  General 
Grakt,  and  held  upward  of  fifty  meetings  in  behalf  of  the 
cause.  After  the  close  of  that  canvass,  at  the  organization 
of  the  Assembly,  and  in  obedience  to  the  unanimous  wish  of 
the  party  in  the  State,  who  desire  to  carry  the  reforms  promised 
into  the  Clerk's  desk,  he  was  chosen  Clerk  of  the  Assembly, 
without  solicitation  on  his  part.  At  the  opening  of  the  pres- 
ent session  there  were  a  number  of  candidates  for  the  posi- 
tion, but  Mr.  O'Doni^^ell's  qualifications  were  deemed  to  be 
the  best,  and  he  was  the  choice  of  a  large  majority  of  the 
Republican  caucus  for  re-election. 

Mr.  O'DoNNELL  has  been  the  recognized  champion  of  the 


John  O'BonnbijL,  337 

temperance  interest  in  the  Legislature  and  elsewhere,  for  a 
number  of  years  past,  and  he  has  given  his  best  efforts  in 
behalf  of  that  cause.  He  is,  in  fact,  one  of  the  most  promi- 
nent temperance  men  in  the  entire  State,  and  frequently 
takes  occasion  to  deliver  lectures  and  addresses  on  the  sub- 
ject. So  far  as  honorably  lay  in  his  power,  he  was  active  in 
endeavoring  to  secure  the  passage  of  the  several  temperance 
bills  before  the  last  legislature.  As  a  public  speaker  he  is 
fluent  and  argumentative,  seldom  failing  to  fix  the  attention 
of  an  audience,  and  always  leaving  the  impression  that  he  is 
correct  and  conscientious  in  his  views.  He  is  known  as  a 
man  of  great  energy  and  perseverance,  and  he  seldom  under- 
takes an  enterprise  without  carrying  it  through.  Genial  in 
disposition,  gentlemanly  and  courteous  in  manners,  and  a 
man  of  fine  intellectual  attainments,  John  O'Donnbll  is 
in  every  way  an  ornament  to  the  Clerk's  desk,  and  an  honor 
to  the  State  he  serves. 


Members  of  the  SEifATB.  339 

SENATORS. 

JTAXXS,   DI8TBI0T8,  COUNTIES   IN   WHICH   THET   RESEDS,   POST-OriTCE 
ADDRESS  AND  POLITICS. 


Lieut.-Gov.  John  C.  Robinson,  President  of  the  Senate. 


Nun«  of  Sciutor. 


Ooanty. 


Post-office  address. 


Politics. 


John  A.  King ........ 

John  W.  Co« 

John  C.  J«oobs.....~.~..~~. 

John  Fox 

JaoiPB  W.  Booth .. 

Jacob  A,  Orou - 

Thomas  A.  Led  with 

Hugh  H.  Moore 

William  H.  Robertaon 

Edward  M.  Madden 

Benjamin  Ray 

Roswell  A.  Parmenter. — 

Jesse  C.  Dayton '.. 

Henry  C.  CJonnelly 

Webster  Wa«ner - 

Franklin  W.  Tobey 

Wells  8.  Dickinson 

Andrew  C.  Mlddleton 

Samuel  8.  Lowery 

Archibald  C.  McGowan 

Charles  Kellogg 

Daniel  P.  Wood 

James  G.  Thompson. 

John  H.  Selkreg 

William  B.  Woodln 

William  Johnson 

George  B.  Bradley 

Jarrls  Lord .~ - , 

Dan  H.  Cole - 

AbUah  J.  Wellman 

John  Oanson 

Albert  G.  Dow 


Suffolk 

Kings 

Kings 

New  York 

New  York 

New  York 

New  York. 

New  York. 

Westchester  ... 

Orange  

Cohimbla , 

Rensselaer 

Albany 

Ulster 

Montgomery .... 

Easex 

Franklin  ... ... 

Jefferson 

Oneida 

Herkimer. 

Madison 

Onondaga 

Chenango 

Tompkins 

Cayuga 

Seneca 

Steuben 

Monroe 

Orleans 

Allegany 

Erie 

Cattaraugus 


Great  Neck 

Brooklyn..... 

Brooklyn 

New  York 

New  York 

New  York 

New  York 

New  York 

Katonah 

Mlddletown 

Hudson 

Troy 

West  Troy 

rty  Blountain 

Palatine  Bridge. 

Port  Henry 

Bangor , 

Black  River. , 

Utica 

Frankfort 

Chlttenango 

Syracuse  

Norwich 

Ithaca. 

Auburn 

Seneca  Falls 

Coming 

Rochester 

Albion 

Friendship 

Buffalo 

Randolph 


Republican. 

Democrat. 

Democrat. 

Democrat. 

Republican. 

Democrat. 

Democrat. 

Democrat. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Democrat. 

Democrat. 

Democrat. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Independent 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Democrat. 

Democrat. 

Democrat. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Democrat. 

Republican. 


340 


Life  Sketches. 


MEMBERS  OF  ASSEMBLY. 

NAME,  DISTRICT,  COUNTY,  POST-OFMCB  ADDKESS  AND  POLITICS. 


Hon.  James  W.  Husted,  of  Westchester,  Speaker. 


Name. 


County. 


Post-oflace. 


Politics. 


1 
2 

"  7 


Abeel,  Hector 

Alberger,  Franklin  A 

Allen,  John  J 

Alvord,  Thos.  G 

Badger,  Jobn  P 

Barrow,  George 

Bassett,  BenJ.  J 

Batcheller,  Geo.  S 

Beebe,  George  M 

Beecher,  Harris  H 

Bennett,  George  C 

Berri,  Eugene  D 

Biglln,  Bernard 

Blessing,  Andrew 

Blumenthal,  Joseph 

Bordwell,  Orville  C 

Bostwick,  Wm.  L 

Braman,  Waters  W 

Brewer,  Francis  B 

Brown,  Arthur  F 

Bulkley,  Justin  L 

Burrltt,  Leonard 

Coffey,  Michael ~.., 

Carpenter,  Henry 

Cauldwell,  William 

Chadwlck,  Geo.  H , 

Clark,  Henry  M 

Cleary,  Wm.  V 

Colahan,  Stephen  J, , 

Comstock.'Artemas  W.  ... 


Ulster 

Erie 

Kings 

Onondaga  -., 

Franklin 

Onondaga.... 

Delaware 

Saratoga  

Sullivan 

Chenango.... 

Kings 

Kings 

New  York... 
New  York.... 
New  York... 

Niagara 

Tompkins... 

Albany  

Chautauqua 

Oneida 

Oswego 

Monroe 

Kings 

Madison 

Westchester 

Oneida 

Wayne 

Rensselaer  .. 

Kings 

Niagara 


Stone  Ridge 

Buffalo 

Brooklyn  

Syracuse  

Burke 

Syracuse  

Walton 

Saratoga  Springs 

Montlcello  

Norwich 

Brooklyn 

Brooklyn 

New  York  city 

New  York  city 

New  York  city 

Coomer 

Ithaca 

West  Troy 

Westfleld 

Westmoreland 

Sandy  Creek 

Spencerport 

Brooklyn 

Oneida 

Morrlsanla 

Chad  wick's  Mills 

East  Palmyra 

Troy - 

Brooklyn 

Lockport 


Democrat. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Independ't. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Democrat. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Democrat. 

Democrat. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Democrat. 

Republican. 

Democrat. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Democrat. 

Democrat. 

Republican- 


Members  of  the  Assembly. 


341 


Name. 


Goantf. 


Post-offlce. 


Politics. 


Coughlin,  John  D 

Daly,  James. 

Davis,  Emerson  B 

Deane,  George  B.,  Jr 

Dennlston,  Augustus „ 

Dickson,  Robert - 

Donahue,  James  F 

ISastman,  Harvey  O 

Ely,  Wm.  H 

Farrar,  Alonzo  H 

Fish,  Hamilton,  Jr 

Foote,  Robert  B 

GuBS,  George  A 

Gregory,  Harmon  L 

Griffin,  Matthew 

Gumee,  Emory  W 

Hammond,  Samuel  H 

Hanrahan,  Patrick 

Hardy,  Leonard  F 

Hayes,  James - 

Hazelton,  William  C 

Healey,  James 

Herrlck,  John 

Hiner,John  D 

Hoag,  John  B 

Holden,  Austin  W 

Houghton,  Charles  F.....~. 

Hussey,  Erastus 

Johnson,  Willard 

Jones,  Griffith  0 ~ 

Kirk,  William  P 

Knapp,  William  B , 

Kshinka,  L.  C.  G ~ 

Landfleld,  Jerome  B ».. 

Law,  Alexander  B 

Lawrence,  Henry 

Leake,  Austin - 


Sew  York 

New  York 

Washington... 

New  York 

Orange  

RensAelaer  ..... 

Kings 

Dutchess 

Otsego 

Columbia 

Putnam 

Erie 

Blonroe  

Schuyler 

Delaware 

Wayne 

OnUrlo 

Brie 

Cayuga 

New  York 

Seneca  

New  York 

Lewis , 

Chautauqua...., 

Schoharie 

Warren 

Hteuben 

Cayuga 

Oswego 

Oneida 

New  York. 

Rockland 

Albany 

Tioga 

Washington 

Columbia 

NewY. 


New  York  city ... 
New  York  city... 

Whitehall  

New  York  city..., 
Blooming  Grove . 

Lanslngburgh 

Brooklyn 

Poughkeepsie 

East  Worcester  ... 

Kinderhook 

Garrison's 

Abbott's  Corners. 

Plttsford 

Altay 

Griffin's  Corners... 

Clyde 

Geneva 

Buflalo 

Weedsport , 

New  York  city 

Ovid 

New  York  city 

New  Bremen 

Smith's  Mills 

Sharon  Springs 

Glens  Falls 

Coming 

Aurora 

Fulton 

Floyd  

New  York  city 

Haverstraw 

Albany 

Newark  Valley 

Shushan , 

Claverack _, 

New  York  city 


Democrat. 

Democrat. 

Democrat. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Democrat. 

Republican. 

Democrat. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Itepubllcan. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Democrat. 

Democrat, 

Democrat. 

Republican. 

Democrat. 

Democrat. 

Democrat. 

Democrat. 

Republican. 

Democrat. 

Democrat. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Democrat. 

Republican. 

Democrat. 

Democrat. 

Democrat. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Democrat. 

Republican. 


342 


Life  Sketches, 


Name. 


Lincoln,  Cyrillo  8 

Lockwood,  Horatio  8... 

Lynde,  Dolphus  S 

McAfee,  Knox 

McGroarty,  John 

Mackin,  James 

McQueen,  Daniel  P 

Manley,  John 

Melvln,  Theodore  N 

Miller,  Edmund 

Miller,  Warner 

Morey,  Jonathan  B 

Murray,  Francis 

Nice,  John 

Oakley,  James  M 

O'Callaghan,  Thomas.... 

Parry,  John  J 

Patten,  Matthew 

Persons,  Elam 

Petty,  Nathan  D 

Phillips,  George  W 

Phllpot,  Edward  G. 

Pope,  Gardner 

Pope,  Seth  G....v 

Prince,  L.  Bradford .. 

Qulnn,  Terrence  J „ 

Ryan,  James , 

Sanford,  Jonah , 

Scherman,  George 

Schlfferdecker,  Fred 

Shattuck,  Stephen  D 

Sherwood,  George.. ....... 

Simon,  Ckarles 

Sloan,  George  B - 

Smith,  Hugh 

Smith,  Joseph  W 

Snyder,  Robert  A 


County. 


Ontario 

Greene  ..  ^ 

St.  Lawrence. 

New  York 

Kings 

Dut<:hes;i 

Schenectady... 
[Cattaraugus... 

Kings 

Chemung 

Herkimer 

Livingston.... 

New  York 

Erie 

Queens :.., 

New  York 

Oneida 

New  York 

Jefferson 

Suffolk 

Cortland 

J'adison 


St.  Lawrence  .. 

Queens 

Albany.- 

New  York 

St.   Lawrence.. 

New  York , 

Albany  

Steuben 

Broome 

Onondaga 

Oswego 

Jefferson 

Erie 

Ulster ^ 


Po«t-offlc«. 


Naples ,,.,. 

Hunter 

Hermon..~ 

New  York  city 

Brooklyn 

Fishklll 

Schen«ctady...«. ........ 

Little  Valley 

Brooklyn , 

Elmlra 

Herkimer 

Dansville 

New  York  city 

Grand  Island 

Jamaica 

New  York  city 

Rome 

New  York  city 

EUisburgh 

Rlverhead 

Homer 

Pratt's  Hollow 

Ausable  Forks 

Ogdensburg  

Flushing 

Albany , 

New  York  city 

Hopkinton 

New  York  city 

Albany 

Cohocton 

Binghamton 

Syracuse  

Oswego 

Perch  River 

Buffalo 

Saugertles 


Poatics. 


Republican. 
Republican. 
Republican, 
Republican. 
Democrat. 
Democrat. 
Republican. 
Republican, 
Democrat. 
Democrat. 
Republican. 
Republican. 
Democrat. 
Republican. 
Democrat. 
Democrat. 
Republican, 
Democrat. 
Republican. 
Republican. 
Republican. 
Republican- 
Democrat. 
Republican. 
Republican. 
Democrat. 
Democrat. 
Republican. 
Republican, 
Republican. 
Democrat. 
Republican. 
Democrat. 
Republican. 
Republican. 
Democrat. 
Republican. 


Members  of  the  Assembly. 


343 


Name. 


Oountjr. 


Poet-offlce. 


Politics. 


Spencer,  Cluirles  8 ~ 

Spencer.  Geo.  W 

Stacy,  Orrin  T 

Stephens,  Stephen  D..  Jr.... 

Stover,  Martin  L ~ ... 

Sullivan,  James  E.....~>.~.. 

Sunderlln.  John .~- 

Taylor,  Oeorge — . ..— . 

Tewkabary,  Samuel  W 

Thorp ,  Henry — .~... — ^^^ 

Townsend.  Elbert — ^ 

Tedder,  Commodore  ?...-.« 

Waehner,  Loaia  0 »>.«>.. 

Waf  sUff,  Alfred,yr. 

Weed,  Smith  M 

Weet,  George — 

Wbalen.  Eliaha  8 

Wight,  Amhent,  Jr — -~~. 

Winneld,  John  D 

Witbeclc.  Joeeph  M 

Wood,  Charlea  B 

Wooda,  Peter 

Worth,  Jacob 


New  York — 

Yatea 

Allegany ...... 

Richmond  ... 
Montgomery 
New  York..... 

Fulton  k  Ham., 

Monroe ~.. 

Wyoming  ..~. 

Otaego 

Genesee ..., 

Cattaraugus... 

New  York. 

New  York. 

Clinton  

Saratoga 

Orleans -.. 

Westchester . 

UUter 

Rensselaer .... 

Orange ~ 

New  York.... 
Kings 


New  York  city.. 

Penn  Yan 

Ru8hford..~ 

Richmond 

Amsterdam 

New  York  city. 

Gloversviile , 

Rochester -.. 

Perry  Center.... 

Butternuts 

Pavilion  Center 

EllicottvlUe 

New  York  city. 
New  York  city . 

PlatUburgh 

BallstonSpa...... 

Medina. , 

Port  Chester.... 
West  Hurley.... 

Nassau 

Middletown ...... 

New  York  city . 
Brooklyn 


Republican, 

Democrat. 

Republican. 

Democrat, 

Republican, 

Democrat. 

Republican. 

Democrat. 

Republican. 

Liberal. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Democrat. 

Liberal. 

Democrat. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Republican. 

Democrat. 

Democrat. 

Democrat, 

Democrat 

Republican. 


mmm-^  1/  DAY  USE 

LOAN  DEPT. 


—&E&^r^m^^ir 


^(E1602810)476B 


funeral  Library     . 
Sft^ti  of  California 


U-i-««g.keley 


Mill 800 


Fur 
M5 


THE  UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  UBRARY 


